November 19, 2019 is the opening date for the exhibition called “Revived Ukrainian Treasures”. It is devoted to the rare museum items from the Dormition Cathedral that belong to the Fund collection of the National Kyiv-Pechersk Historical and Cultural Preserve. One of the displays to be exhibited for the first time is Altar Gospel. The book has luxurious silver-gilt binding, which is a unique example of the Ukrainian Baroque art style.

The Gospel is not just a liturgical book, it is the book of Good News of high spiritual and sacral meaning. Given the importance of the book in the liturgical service, and the place it occupies on the altar, the process of its printing and binding has always been treated with particular reverence.

The artwork presented at the exhibition was created in the Printing house of the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra in 1773. The book is illustrated with the engravings made by the prominent Ukrainian master Averkij Kozachkyvsky. Owing to the efforts of Archimandrite Zosym Valkevych, the binding of the book was enriched by the silver-gilt plates in 1778. They were decorated with the rocaille ornaments, garlands, floral patterns and enamel medallions.

As the treasure of the Dormition Cathedral, the Altar Gospel became part of the collection of the early printed books of the Preserve in 1928.