Mennonite Genealogy with Michael Penner

Kiev, Ukraine 2007

Kiev is the capital city of the Ukraine. It is considered a hub of opportunity, and young people flocked here.

The city has a rich history that extends for well over 1000 years.  Expert guides led us through the city.

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Independence Square, site of the Orange Revolution in 2004-05.

Solemn memorial at Babi Yar. In one day alone, over 30,000 Jews were murdered at this site, their bodies heaped in the ravine. This portion of the ravine has since been filled in.

Another Babi Yar memorial. This photo taken September 30, 2007, one day after the 66th anniversary of the initial massacre. Fresh flowers line this monument. In the distance, passengers examine the ravine.

Hilltop view of Kiev.

St. Andrew’s Church

Fall is the most popular time for Ukrainian weddings. We saw many.

Kiev is westernizing. Yes, it has McDonalds:) Behind is our boat, which docked close to the city centre.

St. Volodymyr’s Cathedral. This stop was an educational experience on Ukrainian Orthodoxy. I was surprised to find no pews inside. People stand for the service and engage in various activities. Head coverings for women are strongly encouraged.

Cathedral of the Dormition was heavily damaged during WWII. It is only reconstructed in the last couple of years. A hunk from the ruin is sheltered in the front left. This cathedral was part of the sprawling Kiev Monastery of the Caves. Our tour included a walk through the caves, which were really bricked underground passageways. They had some interesting artifacts, including an ancient icon stand and windowed coffins from which you could see the shrouds of the dead.

One of the most sacred parks in Kiev, containing ruins over 1000 years old. The green space is making way to this subdivision of mansions built by Ukrainian oligarchs. This is source of frustration among the common Kievans who want to preserve the history of their city.

St. Michael's Golden-Domed Cathedral with the bell tower in the foreground. This building was reconstructed after Ukraine independence—Soviet authorities had it demolished in the 1930s.