Kiev or Kyiv?
IN THE PAST year the capital of Ukraine, which was spelled Kiev in English for centuries, has been the subject of new spellings in the U.S.A. of these the most common ones are Kyiv, Kyiw and Kyyiv. What is the correct spelling in English for the ancient and modern capital of Ukraine? Is there a need for a new spelling which will better serve the American or English reader? The name Kiev comes from a medieval legend about the founding of the city told by a Chronicler of Rus-Ukraine. It was three brothers, Kie, Shchek and Khoriv, and their sister Lebid, who were the founders. By tradition they founded the city in the 5th century A.D. and in May 1982 the 1,500th anniversary of Kiev was celebrated. It was named Kiev in honor of the oldest brother, King Kie (Kyi, pronounced kiy, in Ukrainian). According to church tradition, the founding of a great city on that location had been predicted by the patron saint of Ukraine, Saint Andrew the Apostle, after he visited this land about 50 A.D. We sh
