Hlynska Pustyn (Hlynka Hermitage) of the Nativity of the Mother of God is a women’s stavropegial monastery of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine near the village of Sosnivka in the Hlukhiv region of Sumy Oblast. Amid the legendary “hlenska” thickets and pine forests of Putivl land, one of the most distinctive monastic communities of Slobozhanshchyna grew up — a monastery of St Philaret (Danilevskyi), where in the 19th century an Athonite-style typikon was tested, an eldership in the spirit of the Hlynka Patericon was shaped, and in the 20th century Saint John (Maslov) served. [2][5]
At a glance
- Full name: Holy Hlynka Hermitage of the Nativity of the Mother of God (stavropegial women’s monastery).
- Location: the vicinity of the village of Sosnivka, Hlukhiv district, Sumy Oblast — on the border of Putivl land with the Kursk region.
- Founded: by tradition — 1557, at the appearance site of the icon of the Nativity of the Mother of God; no written confirmation. The hermitage is firmly documented from 1648, the monastery from 1764.
- Holy places: the wonder-working icon of the Nativity of the Mother of God (lost in 1922), the seclusion cells, in the 1990s — the skete of the Holy parents of the Mother of God Joachim and Anna.
- Saints: St Philaret (Danilevskyi; †1841, canonized 2008); St John (Maslov; †1891) — spiritual father of the hermitage 1954–1961.
- Status: a women’s community restored in 1994; since 1996 a stavropegial monastery of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine.
History of Hlynska Pustyn
The legend of 1557: the icon on the pine
The founding date is tied to the legend of the wonder-working icon of the Nativity of the Mother of God: in 1557 beekeepers (peasants-bortniks of Putivl) found an icon on one of the pines, as the monastery’s own tradition tells. A chapel stood at the place of the appearance, but there is no written confirmation of the event. From 1648 the “hlenska” tract is documented as belonging to an elder of Shalygine’s St Michael’s (Molchanskyi) monastery. [2][3]
From annexed hermitage to self-standing monastery
In 1689 the hermitage was annexed to the Molchanskyi Putivl monastery by Patriarch Joachim of Moscow (formalized by an edict of 1693). In 1703 Hetman Ivan Mazepa attached it to his putivl residence, but already in 1704 the monastery returned to its previous position, and in 1704–1706 was joined to the Hlukhiv Peter and Paul monastery. In 1764 the hermitage received self-standing status and a ranking place in the system of the empire’s monasteries. [3]
St Philaret (Danilevskyi): the typikon of 1821
The true flourishing came with St Philaret (in the world Danylo Amphi teatrovych Danilevskyi; 1777–1841): from 1817 he was superior here. In 1821 the Holy Synod confirmed for the hermitage a typikon shaped on the Athonite model, regulating coenobitic life, the hesychastic order of prayer and eldership. The Hlynka community grew into one of the largest spiritual centres of the Kursk diocese — the hermitage became one of the largest landowners of the region. By 1912 its hospital served 3,570 patients. [2][5]
St John (Maslov) and the Hlynka eldership
The 19th century put Hlynska Pustyn among the spiritual centres of Slobozhanshchyna thanks to its eldership. The personality of the schema-archimandrite John (Maslov; †1891), the monastery’s spiritual father in 1954–1961, was especially venerated. He became a model of the Hlynka eldership; testimonies about him and other Hlynka ascetics are gathered in the renowned «Hlynka Patericon». [2][3]
The 20th century: closure, war, rebirth
In 1922 the Bolsheviks closed the hermitage; the wonder-working icon of the Nativity was lost in Shalygine. During World War II, in 1942, on the occupied territory the monastery revived (first within the UAOC, from 1944 — Orthodox), and in 1952 had 60 residents. In July 1961 the Soviet authorities closed the monastery again, and its premises housed a home for the disabled, later a psycho-neurological residence. In August 1994 the hermitage was returned to the Church; since 1996 it has had stavropegial status of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine, and in 1997–1998 a skete of the Holy parents of the Mother of God Joachim and Anna was opened at the monastery. [2][5]
Today
Hlynska Pustyn is an active women’s monastery, a renowned spiritual centre of north-eastern Ukraine. The tradition of prayer passes through generations, and the restored Nativity church and the skete of Saints Joachim and Anna attract pilgrims year-round. [5]
What to see
- Cathedral of the Nativity of the Mother of God — the main shrine of the hermitage, restored in the spirit of the 19th century.
- The seclusion cells (pustyn) — the historic “hlenske” seclusion in the pine forest.
- The skete of Saints Joachim and Anna (1997–1998) — a quiet corner for prayer.
- The brotherhood and guest buildings of the 19th century
- The holy spring in the hermitage grounds.
Practical information
- Address: village of Sosnivka, Hlukhiv district, Sumy Oblast (Hlukhiv region; the road via Shalygine).
- Getting there: from Hlukhiv or Shostka — buses/taxi towards Sosnivka; by car — via the Hlukhiv–Shalygine road.
- Services: liturgies daily in the common-use church; molebens according to the schedule of the sisterhood.
- Dress code: women’s monastery — long skirts and headscarves are welcome.
- Route: convenient to combine with a trip to Hlukhiv (the hetman’s capital) and the Molchanskyi monastery.
Frequently asked questions
When was Hlynska Pustyn founded?
By tradition — in 1557 at the site of the appearance of the icon of the Nativity of the Mother of God; first written references — 1648, monastery status — 1764. [2][3]
Who is St Philaret (Danilevskyi)?
An ascetic and spiritual writer (1777–1841), superior of the hermitage from 1817; author of the typikon confirmed by the Synod in 1821 on the Athonite model; canonized in 2008. [2]
What is the «Hlynka Patericon»?
A collection of edifying accounts of Hlynka ascetics, primarily St John (Maslov), a renowned elder of the 20th century. [3]
What happened to the wonder-working icon?
At the closing of the hermitage in 1922 the icon of the Nativity of the Mother of God was lost in Shalygine; veneration continues through copies. [2]
Is the monastery active today?
Yes — it is an active stavropegial women’s monastery of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine. [5]
Conclusion
Hlynska Pustyn is the silence of Putivl’s pine forests, sheltering the prayer of three centuries: from the legend of the icon on a pine, through the Athonite typikon of St Philaret to the Hlynka eldership of the 20th century. A place where monastic seclusion is felt still. [3][5]