UKRAINE

Ukraine is a large country in Eastern Europe famous for its Orthodox churches, Black Sea coastline and forested mountains. Ukraine gained its independence from the Soviet Union in the aftermath of its dissolution at the end of the Cold War. Its capital, Kiev, features the gold-domed St. Sophia's Cathedral, with 11th-century mosaics and frescoes. Overlooking the Dnieper River is the Kiev Pechersk Lavra monastery complex, a Christian pilgrimage site housing Scythian tomb relics and catacombs containing mummified Orthodox monks.