Why Kyiv’s legendary church may never rise again
Photo: Foundation of the Tithe Church in Kyiv (vue_gov_ua)
Kyiv’s oldest Christian church – the Church of the Tithes – cannot be rebuilt because its original appearance remains unknown.
Historian and architecture researcher Yehor Kravets shared this in an interview with RBC-Ukraine.
"We can only roughly guess and make assumptions about the appearance of the original Church of the Tithes," the expert explained.
What is known about the Church of the Tithes
The church was built by order of Prince Volodymyr the Great between 988 and 996. It became the first stone church not only in Kyiv but in all of Kyivan Rus. The name comes from the fact that the prince donated a tenth of his income to support the church.
In 1240, the church was destroyed by the troops of Khan Batu during the siege of Kyiv. Later, in the 1630s, Metropolitan Petro Mohyla built a small Church of St. Nicholas on its ruins. Its appearance has been preserved, unlike that of the original cathedral.
Unique discoveries
In the 20th century, archaeologist Vikentiy Khvoyka discovered bricks known as plinfa bearing the trident symbol — the tamga of Volodymyr the Great — at the site of the ruins. This confirms that the trident was already used as a state emblem in the 10th century. According to Kravets, a replica of an ancient brick kiln could be recreated at the site, allowing for the production of souvenir plinfa for tourists.
"I think people would find that interesting," the researcher added.
Until the early 20th century, the area of today’s Dytynets still contained homesteads, gardens, and household buildings. At the time, people had no idea that beneath them lay unique archaeological layers.
Previously, RBC-Ukraine reported on the history of the Church of the Tithes — the first stone church of Kyivan Rus — its significance, architecture, and fate. The church was destroyed multiple times, including by the troops of Khan Batu, and attempts to restore it in the 20th and 21st centuries have remained unrealized. Prince Volodymyr, his wife Anna, and Princess Olha were buried in the church.
We also reported on the Church of the Savior at Berestove, located in the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra, which may be the burial site of Yurii Dolgorukyi — the founder of Moscow and prince of Kyiv. This challenges Russian imperial narratives, as it links the origins of Moscow to Ukrainian land. The church is a unique 12th-century monument, preserves frescoes bearing the signature of Petro Mohyla, and continues to be studied by archaeologists.
