In the Lutsk cathedral, they explained why frescoes with Palytsya and businessmen were painted

In the Lutsk cathedral, they explained why frescoes with Palytsya and businessmen were painted

Recently, during restoration work, frescoes depicting local businessmen appeared on the walls of the Cathedral of the Holy Trinity in Lutsk, which caused surprise among the residents of Lutsk. The Volyn Diocese of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine explained that the tradition of decorating church interiors with portraits of major benefactors — ktitors — has existed since Byzantine times. However, considering the negative reaction of the citizens, the ktitors of the Cathedral of the Holy Trinity in Lutsk will be honored in another way, the diocese’s press service stated.

The diocese explained that ktitors or tytars were church elders responsible for the improvement of cathedrals, as well as wealthy individuals whose funds were used to build, restore, or decorate churches and monasteries. Their portraits were traditionally depicted on the walls of churches as a token of gratitude for their contributions. This practice was widespread in Byzantium, as well as in Bulgaria, Serbia, and in Rus-Ukraine. For example, portraits of Bohdan Khmelnytsky can be seen on the Trinity Gate Church of the Kyiv Pechersk Lavra, and the walls of the Assumption Cathedral feature portrayals of the Ostroh princes and Ivan Mazepa, the article notes.