Photo by Olena Krushynska, March 2007

The Dormition of the Blessed Virgin church is a classical Ukrainian tripartite structure situated on the bank of the Unava river. Though it looks like a modest "cinderella" against a background of the famous Fastiv Roman-Catholic church, it is nevertheless mentioned in all textbooks as a masterpiece of national architecture. Unfortunately, its cupolas are nowadays roofed with tin and not with shingles; the fact, however, does not spoil the impression of marvelous harmony made by the church. The belfry is situated separately; it's a contemporary of the church but looks older and darker. The thing is that the church was on fire a few years ago and was thoroughly renewed later, while the belfry hasn't seemingly been touched neither by fire nor by a reconstruction.

The Dormition church is also called "Paliy's one". According to a legend, it was founded by kozak colonel Semen Hurko nicknamed "Paliy", a rackless adventurer who had a diplomatic talent. Having settled in Fastiv, he turned his estate into a real fortress. Officially, he served Polish king guarding the south east boundaries of the state. However, due to his regiment that consisted of three thousand kozaks and ardent support from local people, Paliy became in fact a ruler of the land. When official Warsaw attempted to put a stop to this business, Paliy shrugged it off and declared his possessions "a free kozak region". Further military events are very complicated. Paliy restlessly struggled against Polish gentry, swore allegiance to Russian tsar, was arrested for noncompliance and exiled to the Siberia, then he turned back and even took part in the Poltava battle. He spent the rest of his turbulent life in his favourite Fastiv.

Gallery

Door hinges

[ПГА, т.1, с.146]: Расположена в низменной части города, построена на месте древней обветшавшей.
В 1784 г. произведен ремонт здания. В 1862 г. колокольня была отремонтирована, а церковь расширена: с запада пристроен тамбур. В 1902 г. церковь вновь отремонтирована. Церковь деревянная трехсрубная трехглавая. С северо-запада от нее расположена деревянная квадратная в плане двухъярусная, увенчанная шатром колокольня одновременной с ней постройки.
В 1975-1977 гг. церковь отреставрирована. В процессе реставрации восстановлены в первоначальном виде конструкции срубов и перекрытий, вокруг памятника устроена аркада-галерея. Главы покрыты гонтом. Памятник отличается необыкновенно гармоничными пропорциями и совершенством форм. Известен как один из шедевров украинской деревянной архитектуры.

© 2007, Olena Krushynska (derevkhramy@ukr.net)

Сторінка про Фастів на сайті Сергія Кіфоренка

Стаття "Фастів Хвостовим не став"

Сайт міста Фастів