The Hranivskyi (Hraniv) Holy Dormition Men’s Monastery in the village of Tyshkivska Sloboda of the Haisyn district is the former spiritual centre of the Haisyn region, whose history reaches back to the times of the Khmelnytsky uprising. By tradition, more than five centuries ago an Athonite monk, Onufrii, settled here and dug a healing spring; by documents, the monastery traces its lineage at least to 1650. The monastery was closed twice (1925 and 1965–1967) — and twice it returned to life, while its Dormition church of 1867 became a symbol of the unbroken Orthodoxy of Podillia. [1][3]
At a glance
- Full name: Holy Dormition (Hranivskyi) Men’s Monastery.
- Address: village of Tyshkivska Sloboda, Haisyn district, Vinnytsia Oblast.
- Founded: about 1650; the legend of the monk Onufrii from Athos.
- Historical names: 1744 — Basilian Hranivskyi; 1752 — Kiblytskyi; today Holy Dormition.
- Main shrine: the Dormition church (begun 1860/1863, consecrated in August 1867).
- Status: an active men’s monastery.
History of the monastery
The legend of Onufrii and the healing spring
By the monastery’s tradition, more than five centuries ago an Athonite monk Onufrii settled at the site of the future monastery. Suffering from thirst, he dug a spring whose cool water restored strength and granted healing to those who came here with prayer. In time Onufrii gained like-minded companions — and so, says the legend, the men’s monastery was born. [1]
1650–1773: documentary evidence
Local historians consider 1650 the founding year of the Holy Dormition monastery. The 1773 report of the stolnyk Visnotskyi to Prince Czartoryski shows that back in the times of Bohdan Khmelnytskyi’s war a monk came here from Voloshchyna; later he took on a companion, and they built a church building and living quarters; since the surroundings were a wilderness, the monastery lawfully took possession of the lands around. [2][1][3]
The 18th century: the Basilian era
The monastery was developed by Mykola Syniavskyi. In 1744 the monastery was known as the Basilian Hranivskyi monastery, and since its material base remained weak, it was joined to the Sharhorod monastery. A report of 1752 already calls it Kiblytskyi. There was a time when the monastery was under the Roman Catholic Church, then it became Orthodox again. [3][2]
Three churches by the beginning of the 20th century
By the beginning of the 20th century the monastery counted three churches: the old wooden Transfiguration church; the Onufriivska church with the brothers’ range, built in 1834; and the Dormition of the Mother of God church, begun in 1860 or 1863 and consecrated in August 1867. Its priests included Father Rafail Binkovskyi (1884–1888), who had joined Orthodoxy from Catholicism in 1843 and was its sincere adherent. [2][3]
The Soviet ruins of 1925–1967
On January 6, 1925 the monastery was closed: the rich orchard and vineyards were destroyed, the buildings and one church were dismantled, others were robbed. In the 1940s the former monastery housed a colony for homeless children, and later a military unit; during World War II one more church was destroyed. In the postwar period the monastery was temporarily renewed, yet the NKVD authorities fabricated a case against Father Antonii, and in 1965–1967 the monastery shut again; icons and books were plundered, the large monastic library was carted off to an unknown destination. [1][2][3]
Revival
In the 1980s Father Antonii returned to the monastery, and services resumed. From 2000 to 2004 a single monk carried out the services — skhigumen Lev; afterwards the men’s monastery was reborn here under Father Amfilokhii as abbot. Of the entire former complex the Dormition church survives — a unique building, according to local historians, with the features of the Russian church architecture of the 17th century, having outlived captivities, wars and revolutions. [1][3]
What to see
- The Dormition church of 1867 — the only one of the three churches to survive, with original architecture.
- The healing spring of Onufrii — the legendary source-place of the monastery.
- The monastery grounds — a quiet corner of the Haisyn region with age-old trees.
Practical information
- Address: village of Tyshkivska Sloboda, Haisyn district, Vinnytsia Oblast (~15 km from Haisyn).
- Getting there: from Vinnytsia — bus to Haisyn, then local transport to Tyshkivska Sloboda.
- Services: an active monastery; liturgies on Sundays and feasts, daily rules per the brotherhood’s schedule.
- The spring: you can draw water from the healing Onufriiv spring — best in the warm season.
- Pilgrims: the monastery is small — better to announce your visit through the eparchy.
Frequently asked questions
Where exactly is the Hranivskyi monastery?
In the village of Tyshkivska Sloboda of the Haisyn district — on the lands of the former Hraniv. [1]
Who founded it?
By legend — the Athonite monk Onufrii; documentarily the monastery is known from 1650. [1][2]
How many times was it closed?
Twice: on January 6, 1925 and in 1965–1967; both times the monastery was reborn. [1][3]
What remains of the former churches?
Only the Dormition church of 1867; the wooden Transfiguration church and the Onufriivska of 1834 are lost. [2][1]
Is the monastery active today?
Yes — it is an active men’s monastery; services were restored in the 1980s. [3]
Conclusion
The Hranivskyi monastery is the flow of Athonite water from Onufrii’s spring across four centuries of captivity: the Basilian era, the tsarist grandeur of the Dormition church, two Soviet closures and the return of skhigumen Lev. Whoever comes to Tyshkivska Sloboda will hear the pulse of Orthodox Haisyn region. [1][3]