Kytaiv Hermitage In Kyiv: Sts Dosifey And Feofil, The Blessing Of Seraphim Of Sarov, History And Visitor Guide

Kytaiv Hermitage (Kitaeva Pustyn) is one of the most prayerful corners of Kyiv: a Skete of the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra in the Darnytsia forest, on the southern outskirts of the capital. The hermitage became famous thanks to two great elders — Saint Dosifey (the hermit woman Darya, blessed by Empress Elizabeth) and Saint Feofil, who predicted the revival of three Kyiv monasteries. It was here, in 1776, that the future Seraphim of Sarov received his blessing for monastic life. [2][3][6]

At a glance

Full name: Holy Trinity Kytaiv Hermitage (male skete of the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra).
Location: Kyiv, 15 Kytaivska St. (Holosiivskyi district, on the border with Darnytskyi).
Origins: the Kytaiv hillfort existed since the 9th–10th centuries; monks dug caves from the 14th century; the modern monastery dates from 1716.
Main landmarks: the Holy Trinity Church (1763–1767, Ukrainian Baroque), cave complexes, the church of SS Sergius and Herman.
Saints: St Dosifey of Kyiv and St Feofil of Kytaiv (canonized 1993).
Status: active; belonging to the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra (UOC).

History of Kytaiv Hermitage

Ancient times: hillfort and caves

The name comes from the pre-Christian word «kyta» — wall, fortification: the Kytaiv hillfort stood here from the 9th–10th centuries. In 1159, according to a charter of Prince Andrew Bogolyubsky, Kytaiv together with neighbouring lands entered the possessions of the Kyiv-Pechersk Monastery — that was likely when local monastic life began. The caves where ascetics hid were explored and partially excavated in 1857. [2][5]

1716: the skete of Prince Golitsyn

The modern history of the hermitage begins with Prince Peter Golitsyn, who, having become a monk of the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra, in 1716 settled in the Kytaiv caves together with five brethren. The Lavra supported them, and soon Kytaiv became known as the «Kyiv Athos» — a place where people went for serious prayer away from the noise of the city. [2][3][5]

St Dosifey: the hermit woman blessed by the Empress

In 1744 Empress Elizabeth Petrovna, on her way to the Lavra, stopped at Kytaiv and asked to see the recluse Dosifey. The elder did not come out: she communicated with the empress through a small window of her cell. Only after her death (1776) did the brethren learn that the “elder” was a woman — Daryna Tiapkina, a runaway serf who had lived for over 30 years in male clothing as a hermit. In 1776 the elder blessed for monastic life a young pilgrim Prokhor Moshnin — the future Seraphim of Sarov. [1][3][5]

1763–1767: the Trinity church of Kovnir’s disciples

The stone Holy Trinity Church was built in 1763–1767 in the Ukrainian Baroque style; its construction is associated with the workshop of Stepan Kovnir — it was probably supervised by his pupil V. Neelov. The church stands right above the caves, so that some cells now lie beneath the altar. Nearby the church of SS Sergius and Herman of Valaam (1851) and a belfry grew up; in 1898 a candle factory opened, and in 1904 the Seraphim church was built (rebuilt 2013). [4][6][9]

St Feofil: the elder who predicted Kyiv’s rebirth

In 1885 Hieromonk Feofil (Rosokha) settled in Kytaiv. Weak in health but mighty in spirit, he became the most famous Kyiv elder of the turn of the 19th–20th centuries: thousands came for his prayerful counsel. Feofil predicted that after persecution three Kyiv monasteries would be reborn first — Kytaiv, the Ioninsky monastery and St Michael’s Golden-Domed — which came true to the letter in the 1990s. He reposed in 1917; in 1993 St Dosifey and St Feofil were canonized. [1][4][6]

Destruction and revival

In 1930 the hermitage was closed, its buildings housed a tuberculosis dispensary and then a research institute; the bell tower was destroyed in 1932. The caves were used for mushroom growing. The community returned in 1993, and in 1996 Kytaiv Hermitage became an independent self-governing monastery of the Kyiv Metropolis. Today the Trinity church has been restored, the cave cells of the saints are honoured, and the skete lives in strict Athonite typikon. [2][6][8]

What to see

Holy Trinity Church (1763–1767) — one of the best examples of Kyiv Baroque in the Darnytsia forest.
The caves — cells of St Dosifey and St Feofil (open on feasts and Sundays).
Church of SS Sergius and Herman of Valaam (1851) — with a revered Iveron icon of the Mother of God.
Seraphim church (new, 2013) — consecrated in honour of St Seraphim, blessed here for Sarov.
Ambrachy spring and the “holy groves” of the forest park.

Practical information for pilgrims

Address: Kyiv, 15 Kytaivska St.
Getting there: metro “Vydubychi” or “Kharkivska”, then bus/routs taxi to Kytaiv; the skete stands at the end of the street, in the forest.
Services: Liturgy in the morning (usually 7:00), evening service around 17:00; full schedule on the Lavra website.
Dress code: strict (this is a skete of the Lavra); women need a headscarf and skirt, conversation is minimal.
Caves: access on Sundays and feasts after the service, accompanied by a monk.
It is good to combine the visit with the Vydubychi monastery and the Feofania grove.

Frequently asked questions

Why is Kytaiv called “Kyiv Athos”?

For the severity of its rules and the number of eldership cases: in the 18th–19th centuries monks went there from the Lavra itself to lead a cell life of prayer. [2][5]

Is it true that Seraphim of Sarov received his blessing here?

Yes — in 1776 the Kytaiv ascetic Dosifey blessed the young Prokhor Moshnin to go to Sarov. In 1903, at the canonization of Seraphim, Kyiv remembered this connection magnificently. [1][5]

Was Elder Dosifey really a woman?

Yes: after the death of the recluse in 1776 it was discovered that under the male habit hid Daryna Tiapkina, a runaway serf peasant. She is venerated as Saint Dosifey of Kyiv. [4][6]

When was the monastery closed and reopened?

Closed in 1930, the buildings transferred to a research institute; monastic life resumed in 1993, and in 1996 the skete became fully independent. [4][7]

How to get inside the caves?

The caves are open to pilgrims on Sundays and great feasts, accompanied by a monk-guide; it’s best to ask in the skete after the service. [5][8]

Conclusion

Kytaiv Hermitage is a living memoir of Kyiv: ascetics of the 14th century prayed here, Empress Elizabeth and the youth Prokhor who became Seraphim of Sarov; here cave cells turned into churches and imperial gold into new temples. Today Kytaiv continues to be the “Athos” to which souls tired of the city come. [1][5]