St. Sophia Cathedral

THEME: St. Sophia Cathedral 

I. Read, write and learn the following words and word combinations:

to threaten погрожувати

to acquire набувати, одержувати

destiny доля

strife  боротьба, суперечка

mosaic мозаїка

frescoes фрески                                                                               

value  цінність

inlay інкрустація, мозаїка

to depict  змальовувати

gilded  позолочений

staircase towers  сходові вежі

considerable значний

filigree carved  філігранне різьблення 

vault склепіння

Read and translate the text.

St. Sophia Cathedral, located in the historic centre of the Ukrainian capital, is a masterpiece of world architecture. St. Sophia Cathedral was built during the reign of Yaroslav the Wise to commemorate a great victory over the Pechenegs in 1037.

St. Sophia Cathedral suffered the fate of many structures of Old Rus. It was ruined in the 13th century during the Tatar invasion and underwent wars and religious strife many times. Metropolitan Petro Mohyla restored the cathedral in 1633. During 17-18 centuries the cathedral acquired the architectural aspect which has come down to us. During this time an ensemble of buildings in the style of Ukrainian baroque was created around the cathedral.

The ancient mosaic decorations of the cathedral, which ornament the principal altar, the central dome and the arches are of unique value from the scientific and artistic points of view.

The art of mosaic inlay work was widespread in Byzantium and further developed in Kyiv. The artists of the 11th century created remarkable pictures. Most of the ancient frescos were covered with  oil- paintings. As a result of research work the original frescos were discovered. The portraits of the members of the family of Yaroslav the Wise: his wife Iryna and three daughters - Anna, Yelyzaveta, and Anastasia are of considerable interest too. Two figures of his young sons have been preserved on the opposite wall of the cathedral.

The image of Yaroslav the Wise painted on the Western hall unfortunately has not been preserved. The frescoes of the two staircase towers depict the life of Old Rus. Also worthy of attention are the bronze gilded doors in the western wall with ornaments of the 17th century and the filigree carved wooden iconostasis of the 18th century.

The cathedral is of great cultural value for the Ukrainian people. It has been declared  a state monument-museum.

Read the following statements and decide if they are true or false.

1. St Sophia of Kyiv was built to commemorate a great victory in the 11th century.

2. It was ruined many times during wars.

3. An ensemble of buildings in the Gothic style was created during the 17th -18th centuries.

4. The mosaic decorations of the cathedral are of unique value.

5. The artists of the 11th century developed the art of mosaic inlay work.

6. The ancient frescoes were hidden under later frescoes.

7. The original frescoes have not come down to us.

8. The image of Yaroslav the Wise was painted on the eastern wall.

9. The frescoes of the towers depict the life of Old Rus.

10. The bronze gilded doors were built in the 18th century.

Match the words with their synonyms.

1. ancient a) warn

2. remarkable b) quarrel

3. acquire c) fate

4. inlay d) describe

5. threaten e) old

6. destiny f) decoration

7. depict g) wonderful

Match the words with their definitions.

1. pillar

2. dome

3. roof

4. beam

5. vault

6. mosaic

a) a structure raised above a large building, usually hemispherical

b) free-standing upright member of any section, not conforming to one of the classical orders

c) arched ceiling or roof, usually in brick or stone

d) top covering of a building, a ceiling, upper covering of a dwelling

e) a kind of work in which designs are formed by small pieces of colored marble and glass

f) a structural member that resists load which bend it, also includes joists and girders