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Kyiv Ukraine Temple

Coordinates: 50°24′15.04080″N 30°23′43.16639″E / 50.4041780000°N 30.3953239972°E / 50.4041780000; 30.3953239972
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Kyiv Ukraine Temple
Kyiv Ukraine Temple in 2020
Map
Number134
Dedication29 August 2010, by Thomas S. Monson[1]
Site12.35 acres (5.00 ha)
Floor area22,184 sq ft (2,061.0 m2)
Height137.8 ft (42.0 m)
Official website • News & images
Church chronology
←
Cebu City Philippines Temple
Kyiv Ukraine Temple 		→
San Salvador El Salvador Temple
Additional information
Announced20 July 1998, by Gordon B. Hinckley
Groundbreaking23 June 2007, by Paul B. Pieper
Open house7–21 August 2010
Current presidentBorys Evgen’evich Vyshnevskyi
Designed byMHTN and Strabag AG
LocationSofiivska Borshchahivka, Ukraine
Geographic coordinates50°24′15.04080″N 30°23′43.16639″E / 50.4041780000°N 30.3953239972°E / 50.4041780000; 30.3953239972
Exterior finishAmarelo Macieira granite with quartzite crystals
Baptistries1
Ordinance rooms2 (Two-stage progressive)
Sealing rooms2
(edit)

The Kyiv Ukraine Temple is the 134th operating temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church). The intent to build the temple was announced by the church's First Presidency on July 20, 1998.[2] Located in Sofiivska Borshchahivka,[3] near Kyiv (the capital of Ukraine), it is the LDS Church's 11th temple in Europe, the first in the territory of the former Soviet Union,[4] and the second in the former Eastern Bloc.[5][6] A groundbreaking ceremony, to signify beginning of construction, was held on June 23, 2007, conducted by Paul B. Pieper.[6]

History

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The plan to build a temple in Ukraine were announced by the LDS Church on 20 July 1998.[7] The announcement was unique in that it came eight years after missionaries entered the country,[8] and was the first temple outside the United States to be dedicated within twenty years of the church entering the country.[6] When the temple was announced, there were only five thousand church members in Ukraine.[8] As of 2024, there are approximately ten thousand.[9]

However, the project was delayed for nine years as the church had difficulty obtaining the three to four hectares of land it wanted for the project.[10] On 23 June 2007, ground was broken for the project by Paul B. Pieper, a general authority who was first counselor in the presidency of the church's Europe East Area.[11]

After construction was complete, a two-week public open house was held from 7–21 August 2010.[2][12] The temple was dedicated on 29 August 2010 by church president Thomas S. Monson.[2][4]

On September 12, 2011, the Ukrainian Ministry of Regional Development, Construction, Housing and Communal Services awarded the Kyiv Ukraine Temple first place for the best religious building constructed in Ukraine in 2010.[13]

In 2020, like all others in the church, the Kyiv Ukraine Temple was closed in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.[14] In February 2022, the temple was closed due to Russia's invasion of Ukraine but reopened later in the year, on October 16.[15][16][17]

Design and architecture

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The temple is on a 12.35-plot,[3] and the landscaping around the temple features flower gardens and trees.[6] These elements provide a tranquil setting to enhances the sacred atmosphere of the site.

The structure is constructed with Amarelo Macieira granite with quartzite crystals.[3] The exterior has a multilevel tower and angel Moroni statue.[6]

The temple includes a baptistry, a celestial room, two ordinance rooms, and two sealing rooms, each arranged for ceremonial use.[6]

The design uses elements representing both Ukrainian and Latter-day Saint symbolism, providing deeper spiritual meaning to the temple's appearance and function. Symbolism is important to church members and includes the two main design motifs of the temple, which are decorated Easter eggs and staffs of wheat. The use of wheat sheaves is a reference to the historical importance of wheat production in Ukraine, while the Easter eggs symbolize the Resurrection and Atonement of Christ.[8] The angel Moroni statue represents “the restored gospel being taken to all of Eastern Europe.”[8]

Temple presidents

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The church's temples are directed by a temple president and matron, each serving for a term of three years. The president and matron oversee the administration of temple operations and provide guidance and training for both temple patrons and staff.[18]

The first president of the Kyiv Ukraine Temple was Bruce J. Galbraith, with Carol J. Galbraith as matron. They served from its dedication in 2010 until 2013.[18] As of 2024, the president and matron are Borys E. Vyshnevskyi and Alla I, Vishnevskaia.[19]

Admittance

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Following the temple's completion, a public open house was held from April 7-August 21, 2010 (excluding Sundays). The temple was dedicated during three sessions by Thomas S. Monson on August 29, 2010.[6]

Like all the church's temples, it is not used for Sunday worship services. To members of the church, temples are regarded as sacred houses of the Lord. Once dedicated, only church members with a current temple recommend can enter for worship.[20]

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  • under construction
    under construction
  • under construction
    under construction
  • ca. 2010
    ca. 2010
  • ca. 2018
    ca. 2018

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Kyiv Ukraine Temple Details", Church News, September 4, 2010, retrieved 2012-10-15
  2. ^ a b c "A temple in Ukraine". Church News. 1998-08-08. Retrieved 2024-11-01.
  3. ^ a b c "Kyiv Ukraine Temple". ChurchofJesusChristTemples.org.
  4. ^ a b Avant, Gerry (August 30, 2010), "President Monson dedicates Kyiv Ukraine Temple, first in former Soviet Union", Church News, retrieved 2012-10-15
  5. ^ The Freiberg Germany Temple, dedicated in 1985 in the former German Democratic Republic, was the first
  6. ^ a b c d e f g "Kyiv Ukraine Temple". Church News. Retrieved 2024-11-01.
  7. ^ "A temple in Ukraine", Church News, August 8, 1998, retrieved 2012-10-15
  8. ^ a b c d "The Mission of the Kyiv Ukraine Temple | Religious Studies Center". rsc.byu.edu. Retrieved 2024-11-01.
  9. ^ "Statistics and Church Facts | Total Church Membership". newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org. Retrieved 2024-11-01.
  10. ^ Moore, Carrie A. (September 28, 2002), "LDS Church making inroads in Ukraine", Deseret News, archived from the original on October 21, 2013, retrieved 2012-10-15
  11. ^ "Ground broken for first Eastern Europe temple", Church News, July 7, 2007, retrieved 2012-10-15
  12. ^ "Dedication and Open House Dates Announced for the Kyiv Ukraine Temple", Newsroom, LDS Church, April 21, 2010, retrieved 2012-10-15
  13. ^ "Kyiv Ukraine Temple receives national award". Church News. 2012-01-07. Retrieved 2024-11-01.
  14. ^ Stack, Peggy Fletcher. "All Latter-day Saint temples to close due to coronavirus", The Salt Lake Tribune, 26 March 2020. Retrieved on 28 March 2020.
  15. ^ the temple's LDS Church website
  16. ^ Walch, Tad (February 25, 2022). "First Presidency asks world leaders to seek peace in Ukraine as church closes Kyiv temple". Deseret News. Retrieved 27 March 2022.
  17. ^ Taylor, Scott (16 Oct 2022). "Church reopens Kyiv Ukraine Temple for ordinance work on a limited basis". Church News. Deseret News. Retrieved 18 February 2023.
  18. ^ a b "Presidents and Matrons of the Kyiv Ukraine Temple | ChurchofJesusChristTemples.org". Temples of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Retrieved 2024-11-01.
  19. ^ "Learn about the new leaders of temples in France, Denmark, Ukraine and 5 more areas". Church News. 2022-02-10. Retrieved 2024-11-01.
  20. ^ "Inside Temple". www.churchofjesuschrist.org. Retrieved 2024-11-01.
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