Shelling across the Dnipro took the cupola and the bell tower roof. Water has been getting into the dome for four winters. This is the year we close it.

Kherson has been under artillery and drone attack from positions across the river since the city was liberated in November 2022. St. Catherine’s — the city’s oldest Orthodox church, consecrated in 1786 — has been hit on the dome and the bell tower.

Temporary covers have held, but not for four winters. The cupola sheathing is failing, the timber beneath it is wet, and the bell tower roof has lost a third of its sheet metal. Every month of delay raises the conservation bill.

Svitlo is funding the cupola and bell tower: survey, timber repair, copper sheathing and a lightning protection system. The parish is providing scaffolding and labour.

Scope of works

• Cupola timber repair and copper sheathing
• Bell tower roof replacement
• Lightning protection and grounding
• Drainage and rainwater disposal

No original drawing survives for this building. A measured survey is commissioned before works start; drawings are released after the heritage authority signs them off. See the drawings archive.

Timeline

1. Nov 2022

   City liberated; first damage survey.

2. Jan 2026

   Temporary dome cover fails after storm.

3. Oct 2026

   Copper tender awarded; scaffold erected.

4. Mar 2027

   Target: dome closed before spring rains.

Accountability

Damage

Shelling 2022–2026; dome and bell tower

Consecrated

1786

Location

Kherson, right bank of the Dnipro

Scope

Cupola, bell tower roof, lightning protection

The condition survey, procurement record and completion certificates are available on request. Write to hello@svitlo.fund.