The origins of the Cathedral of St Volodymyr the Great in Paris date back to the 13th century, marked by the construction of an initial church on the site. However, at the beginning of the 17th century, this church was dismantled to make way for a structure intended for the Brothers of Charity. The foundation stone of this new building was laid in 1613, under the patronage of Marie de Médicis. This building was then finalized, serving jointly with a hospital.
During the French Revolution, the entire hospital was reassigned for educational purposes in medicine. From 1799, the chapel within the complex found a new role as a place for clinical education, a role that lasted until 1850. At that time, the role of the chapel evolved to become the seat of the National Academy of Medicine.
Testifying to its historical importance, the facades of the cathedral overlooking the street and the courtyard were officially designated as historical monuments on 16 March 1926.
In the 20th century, in 1935, the remaining parts of the hospital were demolished to make way for modern structures housing the Faculty of Medicine of Paris. At the same time, a mission dedicated to Ukrainian Catholics was established in 1937. This mission eventually led to the reassignment of the chapel as a Catholic church aligned with the Byzantine rite, specifically for the Ukrainian community. The year 1942 marked the transfer of ownership of the chapel to the Ukrainian community, and on 9 May 1943, it was consecrated under the name of St Volodymyr the Great, in tribute to Prince Volodymyr the Great of Kyiv, recognized for introducing Christianity to the Kyiv Rus' in 988.
The year 1961 was decisive, as the Holy See established an exarchate for the Ukrainians of the Greek-Catholic rite. This elevation in status consequently conferred the rank of cathedral on the Church of St Volodymyr the Great.
Subsequently, on 19 January 2012, a significant development occurred when Pope Benedict XVI elevated the Apostolic Exarchate for Ukrainians of the Byzantine rite in France to the higher status of an eparchy. At this transformative moment, Borys Gudziak, previously exarch in France, was appointed the first bishop of the newly established eparchy, known as the "St Volodymyr the Great of Paris of the Byzantine Ukrainians".
Throughout its history, the narrative of the cathedral has been intertwined with the evolution of its purpose, reflecting the changing social, political, and religious dynamics both in France and within the Ukrainian community.
Learn more about St Volodymyr the Great:
Volodymyr is the youngest son of the Grand Prince of Kyiv, Sviatoslav, and the grandson of the Blessed Olha. He becomes the Grand Prince of Kyiv in 980. He consolidates the state's borders through large military campaigns against the East and South Slavic tribes, and appropriates the powers of the tribal princes.
At the Cathedral of St Volodymyr the Great in Paris, we honor our deep traditions while adopting modern tools to better serve our community. The Church is not only a place of prayer, but also a center of spiritual, cultural and social life, especially for Ukrainians living in Paris. Our mission is to remain open to all generations, accessible both physically and online.
Epiphany. Some photos of the Epiphany vigil of St. Theopemptus and Theona, Protoprastes and Synclitic of Alexandria
NATIVITÉ DU CHRIST. Divine Liturgy at the Cathedral of St Volodymyr the Great in Paris. Presided by Bishop Hlib Lonchyna, apostolic administrator. A series of photos of the Christmas services at the Cathedral of St Volodymyr the Great
