Accompaniment of the visitors in the caves of Kyiv dormition caves Lavra (late 18th - early 20th cent.)

Abstract

Visiting of the caves of the Kievan Cave Monastery (alias The Kievan Cave Lavra), the important pilgrimage centre, presupposed the presence of a guide. The study of this sort of service will broaden the knowledge of spirituality and communicative activity of the new-time monks. The article’s purpose is to define key features of the organisation of guiding of visitors of the Near and the Far caves. As has been established, the ability without delays to lead the whole group of visitors out from the caves was the main skill that the administration expected from the guides (although, the decent behaviour was also important).