The Greek Catholic Archbishop's Cathedral of Saint George - magnificent Rococo architectural ensemble dating back to the 18th century (comprising a church, bell tower, metropolitan's palace and capitulary buildings) located on the high hill over Lviv, beautifully blending into the urban landscape.
An earlier church with a cave monastery was built on this hill in the 13th century by Halychyna-Volyn Prince Lev Danylovych for his uncle Vasylko, who decided to withdraw from secular concerns and dedicate his life to serving God. The current Rococo ensemble was built in the 1760s by architect Bernard Meretyn. Educated in the spirit of Western European architectural traditions Meretyn also introduced elements of Ukrainian religious art in his design.
Passing through the gate adorned with allegorical figures of the Roman and Greek Churches one finds oneself in a large church yard. To the left is the main façade of the Cathedral with its formidable portal and figures of Saints Athanasius and Lev Sheptytsky – high clergymen to whom the cathedral owes its existence. The attic above the portal is topped by a sculptural group of St. George Slaying the Dragon. This brilliant creation by artist Jan Pinsel is one of the best examples of 18th century Lviv sculpture, and it rivals other world masterpieces of the sculptural art.
The church interior is striking with its richness and diversity of iconography. Special mention should be made of the work of a prominent artist of the 18th century, Luka Dolynsky, who painted the icons of the altar; they depict prophets, whose figures are distinguished by the nobleness of their countenances,interpreted as they are using a humanistic approach. In the icon case located in the left nave one can view a valuable relic – the icon of the Virgin Mary of Terebovlya, which dates back to the 17th century. In 1663 tears from the Virgin Mary’s eyes flowed for 40 days to alert the populace about the impending Turkish siege. In 1704 the icon started crying for the second time when King Charles XII of Sweden seized Lviv. The icon has been preserved in silver plating arranged by the Father Superior of the Terebovlya Monastery. In the crypt of the Cathedral lie the sarcophagi of the most prominent figures of the Greek Catholic Church, Metropolitan Andrey Sheptytsky, and other members of the Church hierarchy.
Opposite the Cathedral stands the Metropolitan’s Palace, an 18th century Rococo building constructed by architect Fesinger, displaying some elements of Classicism. The palace apartments are richly decorated. A bell tower furnished with the oldest bell in Ukraine rises on the other side of the church. The inscription on it dates back to 1341 and recounts wartime adversities of the past. The eastern terrace of the church yard affords a spectacular view of the city.
The Cathedral of St. George is a sacred symbol for Ukraine - a bridge uniting the great achievements of the Christian culture and the spirituality of two branches of the Church: the Byzantine East and the Latin West.
BELL TOWER OF ST. GEORGE CATHEDRAL
A baroque architectural monument was built in 1828 under the design of Hajek by construction worker Joseph Zemler.
The uniqueness of this bell tower is that it is here where the oldest bell is located in Ukraine, which was cast in 1341.
METROPOLITAN CHAMBERS
Bishop's residence, built in 1761-1776 in the late Baroque style. The chambers were rebuilt twice in 1885 under the project of Sylvester Gavrishkevich and in 2000-2001 on the occasion of the visit of St. Pope John Paul II to Ukraine, where he lived.
METROPOLIC GARDENS
Around 1762-1771, around the Metropolitan Chambers, a garden was broken into the terraces held by powerful retaining walls.
The park of baroque gardens was enclosed by a fence in 1772 on St. George's Hill. With the help of the Spiritual Renaissance Foundation, in 2016 the top of the gardens were restored.
Schedule of Liturgy(Permanent)
Every Monday
7.30 - Divine Liturgy for Peace. A memorial service.
9.00 - Morning liturgy.
10.00 - Divine Liturgy for every petition and praise of the righteous Metropolitan Andrey Sheptytsky.
After the Liturgy in the crypt of the Cathedral, Akathist for the glorification of the righteous Metropolitan Andrey Sheptytsky.
17.00 - Evening liturgy.
18.00 - Divine Liturgy at any request.
Every Tuesday
7.30 - Divine Liturgy for Peace. A memorial service.
9.00 - Morning liturgy.
10.00 - Divine Liturgy for every request and for the sick.
After the Liturgy - Prayer to St. Sorbels and anointing with oil.
15.00 - Prayer for Children (Mothers in Prayer Movement).
17.00 - Evening liturgy.
18.00 - Divine Liturgy at any request.
Every Wednesday
7.30 - Divine Liturgy for Peace. A memorial service.
9.00 - Morning liturgy.
10.00 - Divine Liturgy for every petition and for addicts of alcohol, drugs, gambling and more.
After the Liturgy - Akathist to St. Panteleimon.
17.00 - Evening liturgy.
18.00 - Divine Liturgy at any request.
19.00 - Akathist to the Miraculous Icon of the Terebovlyan Mother of God (Brotherhood of the Terebovlyan Mother of God).
Every Thursday
7.30 - Divine Liturgy for Peace. A memorial service.
9.00 - Morning liturgy.
10.00 - Divine Liturgy for every petition and for the happy fate of children and youth.
After the Liturgy - Akathist to the Holy Father of Mykola, Archbishop of Mir Lycius, the wonderworker.
15.00 - Prayer for Children (Mothers in Prayer Movement).
17.00 - Evening. Bride's Confession.
18.00 - Divine Liturgy for every petition and for the brides who are to be married in the Cathedral of Sts. Jura next Saturday and Sunday.
Every Friday
7.30 - Divine Liturgy for Peace. A memorial service.
9.00 - Morning liturgy.
10.00 - Divine Liturgy for every request and for the blessing of God and a happy life for families and individuals on earnings abroad.
After the Liturgy - Akathist to St. vmh. Yuri the Winner.
15.00 - Akathist to Jesus Christ (served before the icon, which was consecrated on the original non-man-made image of Jesus Christ). Blessings in a non-man-made way.
16.00 - Prayer before the Shroud (served during Lent).
17.00 - Evening.
6.00pm Divine Liturgy at any request.
Every Saturday
7.30 - Divine Liturgy for Peace. A memorial service.
9.00 - Divine Liturgy at any request; for the couple who were married in the Cathedral of Sts. Yura; for the baptized, who were baptized in the Cathedral of Sts. Yura.
18.00 - Evening and Matins.
The first Saturday of each month, after the Divine Liturgy at 9 a.m. - the Rosary to the Blessed Virgin (prayer services are held by the Prayer Community of worshipers of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Immaculate Heart of Mary at St. George's Cathedral).
Every Sunday
7.30 - Divine Liturgy at any request.
9.00 - Divine Liturgy at any request.
11.00 - Divine Liturgy for the Parish.
18.00 - Evening Worship.
On the first Sunday of the month, after the Divine Liturgy, at 11.00, the blessing of women in pregnancy.
On the first Sunday of the month, after Evening, at 6:00 pm, there will be a hearing of the Men's Society of "Christ of Man."
On the last Sunday of each month, after the Divine Liturgy at 11.00. - blessing of children, pouring holy water.
On the eve of the holidays
17.00 - Divine Liturgy.
18.00 - Great Evening with Litia.
On Mondays to Fridays, Divine Liturgy is held at 7:30, 10:00 and 18:00
