Churches are special sights, with which such a fundamental phenomenon in life as faith is connected. They are not just interesting and beautiful buildings — they are, figuratively speaking, the houses of God, where you can address him and the Saints with a request, pray for the health of loved ones or for the repose of the departed. In many temples, the history of which goes back several centuries, one can feel the relics, a special atmosphere, and one of the most vivid examples of this can be called Kirillov Church in Kiev, which is located on O. Teliga Street.
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In terms of significance, the St. Cyril’s Church can be compared to Sophia of Kiev — it is one of the oldest churches in Kiev, its history dates back just under a millennium. Now the monastery is part of the reserve «Sophia of Kiev» and is not only a temple, but also an active museum protected by UNESCO.
At first sight the tall white stone temple makes a favorable impression. The architectural appearance of the church, which we have the opportunity to see now, it acquired in the XVIII century, when restoration works were carried out under the guidance of the famous Ukrainian architect 
I. Grigorovich-Barskogo. Grigorovich-Barsky, who supplemented the appearance of the building with Ukrainian Baroque elements: a pediment was added over the entrance, and the portals and windows were supplemented with stucco decoration. What is remarkable is that the temple has no striking differences with the way it looked in the times of Ancient Russia: it is the same cross-domed church, only now it is crowned with 5 domes, not one, as it used to be long ago. Interesting decoration of the domes with green tiles gives the building a very harmonious, soft appearance. And the narrow lancet windows located both below and above the domes remind of the old times.
The erection of the church began in 1139 after Prince Vsevolod Olgovich ascended the throne of Kiev. It is known that by 1171 it was already decorating these places — confirmation of this is the mention of the temple in the Ipatiev Chronicle. In the Dorogozhichi tract before the beginning of construction there existed the Kirill monastery of the same name, and the new church was erected as its main cathedral, and also as a family burial vault of the Olgovichs. This role it later played — legendary historical figures were buried here: Maria Mstislavovna, daughter of Mstislav the Great, the hero of the «Tale of Igor’s Campaign» 
Prince Svyatoslav Vsevolodovich and other representatives of the dynasty.
During 9 centuries of existence of the church it was repeatedly tried to destroy, abolished, transferred to different departments and organizations. In 1240 during the invasion of the Tatar-Mongolian troops the monastery was plundered, and the lead roof of the temple was torn off, because of which today’s treasures — ancient frescoes, for many years were exposed to deterioration due to winds and precipitation.
It is the unique ancient frescoes that are now considered the main treasures of St. Cyril’s Church — they are sought after by many tourists interested in the sights of Kiev. The area of the frescoes preserved from the XII century is 800 square meters, there is something to admire and think about, looking at skillfully restored images painted by masters in the distant times of Kievan Rus. Complemented by accidentally discovered in the XIX century ancient frescoes more modern, created at the end of the noted century by the famous Mikhail Vrubel and other talented artists.
From the high walls of the church Jesus Christ, the prophets Solomon and Moses, Archangel Gabriel and other holy works of Vrubel’s brush stare at the visitor. And his work «Our Lady with Child», painted in the best traditions of the Italian Renaissance, strikes the imagination and makes one feel awe at the piercing gaze of the Mother of God. The feeling of the presence of the Saints depicted in the frescoes is also created due to the peculiarity of the architecture of the temple: the light enters the church from narrow windows located high up — several meters from the floor, descends from them in thick rays, as if a magical stream bringing blessing to those who come to the temple.
Being here is not just pleasant — the atmosphere of the temple renews, people come out of here as if born again. This, perhaps, explains the high attendance of Cyril’s Church by tourists who came to rest in Kiev, pilgrims from all over Ukraine and other countries.
The majestic temple with five domes surrounds a small park and other buildings of the now newly functioning monastery. Since 1995, services were resumed in St. Cyril’s Church, and since 2011 the parish has regained the status of a male monastery. Nevertheless, the doors of the church are open to all — both believers, 
and those simply interested in ancient architecture. Due to the fact that both the church and the museum peacefully coexist within these walls, everyone can visit the second most important and ancient church of Kiev. Coming on vacation in Kiev, a visit to the Kirill Church is worthwhile for everyone who is excited about visiting ancient places, is interested in ancient icon painting or simply wants to pray for loved ones in a place where these prayers will certainly be heard. Of the many sights of Kiev, Cyril’s Church is one of the most important and everyone who visited this place, having been to the ancient temple, realizes that he has made this journey for the good.