The St Nicholas Men’s Monastery of Milet (Myiets) in the village of Myltsi, Stara Vyzhivka district, is one of the oldest and once wealthiest monasteries of Volhynian Polissia, the former “family monastery” of the Sanguszko princes. The earliest documentary mention of a monastic settlement here dates to the mid-15th century; the monastery received its St Nicholas church in 1542, and after a period of forced Union, first-class imperial glory and Soviet closure in 1947 — it was revived in 1994. [1][2]
At a glance
- Full name: St Nicholas Milet Men’s Monastery (UOC, Volodymyr-Volynskyi Eparchy).
- Address: village of Myltsi, Stara Vyzhivka district, Volyn Oblast. [1][3]
- Earliest mentions: the record of Prince Sanguszko before 1463; documented existence from 1522. [1][2]
- Historical milestones: Orthodox until 1707; Uniate (Miletske opatstvo) 1707–1839; Orthodox from 1839. [1][2]
- Closure/revival: closed 1947; revived 1994. [1]
- Daughter skete: Nativity of John the Baptist at Verbka (since 2001). [1]
History of the monastery
By tradition — from the monks of Verb monastery
By local tradition the Milet monastery was founded by monks of the Trinity monastery of Verb, situated nearby amid the Buha marshes — if so, the roots of the shrine of Myltsi reach back to the age of medieval Rus’. [1] Some tourism reference works date the founding to the late 13th century. [3]
The documentary realm: 15th–16th centuries
The earliest documentary mention of the Milet monastic settlement occurs in a record of Prince Sanguszko (presumably Fedko Sanguszkowicz, Prince of Ratno and Kowel, d. 1454), drawn up before 1463: among the estates he passed to his wife Hanna, the record names “monastyr S. Nikolaja Milcze”. Thus already in the mid-15th century the monastery existed. [2]
A 1522 record tells of Vasyl Sanguszko exchanging his villages for the monastery’s ones (Nytsi, Pisochne, Solovji, Komarove, Sokolyshche, Shkroby, Pidsynivka) — confirmation that the Milet monastery was the “family monastery” of the Sanguszko princes. In 1532 the monastery is again mentioned in documents as active. [1][2]
In 1542, with the support of Prince Fedir Sanguszko, the present St Nicholas church was erected, and in the prince’s will of 1547 the monastery received many estates — evidence of the splendour Myltsi attained on the wave of the princes’ patronage. [1][2]
The era of trial: Union, opatstvo, return (1707–1947)
In 1707 the Union was imposed upon the monastery, and soon, in 1713, it was renamed the Miletske opatstvo (abbacy). The inventory of the 1760s shows that, despite property conflicts with neighbouring magnates and gentry, the monastery remained prosperous. [1][2]
In 1839 the Milet monastery was joined to the Orthodox Church; under the staff list of 1842 it was raised to first-class — it was to number an archimandrite, a namestnik-hieromonk, eight hieromonks, four hierodeacons, three monks, five novices and 24 servants. The monastery fund was then supported by state allowances of 3,500 rubles yearly. [1][2]
1947–1994: half a century of silence
In 1947 the monastery was closed: an agricultural school moved into its premises, later — a boarding home for the disabled and the elderly. Services were celebrated only in the Onufriivskyi church at the cemetery, which became a metochion of the monastery. [1]
Revival since 1994
In 1994 the Milet monastery was revived; through the brotherhood’s labours the monastery rose from ruin and today is a spiritual pearl of Polissia. Namestnik — Archimandrite Leontii (Burko). [1] Since 2001 the monastery has a skete of the Nativity of St John the Baptist at Verbka — precisely there, whence, by tradition, the Milet community once came. [1]
Spiritual meaning: St Nicholas and the Polissia hermitage
The dedication to St Nicholas the Wonderworker is not accidental: Volhynian Polissia had for centuries venerated the saint of Myra as patron of travellers and fishermen, whose borderland was crossed by marshes and rivers. The St Nicholas church of 1542 became the centre around which the parish communities of the entire vicinity crystallised. [1][2]
The second spiritual thread is the princely piety of the Sanguszkos: the family that founded and guarded the monastery left its trace not only in acts and wills, but in the very ecclesiastical topography of Volhynia. The Milet tradition proves that medieval-Rus’ patrons could themselves be bearers of the monastic calling. [1][2]
Today the revived brotherhood continues the same simple and ancient work: prayer in the St Nicholas church, additional (winter) services in the Transfiguration church, care for the metochial Onufriivskyi church and for the Verbka skete. It is precisely this unassuming fidelity that fills the old walls with voices again. [1]
Ensemble and shrines
- The St Nicholas church (1542) — the heart of the complex, built with Prince Fedir Sanguszko’s support. [1]
- The brothers’ range with the warm church of the Transfiguration. [1]
- The bell tower, the superior’s house, utility buildings. [1]
- The metochial Onufriivskyi church at the cemetery — kept prayer alive during the Soviet decades. [1]
- The skete of the Nativity of John the Baptist at Verbka (since 2001) — the “maternal” seat. [1]
Practical information
- Address: village of Myltsi, Stara Vyzhivka district, Volyn Oblast (Bohatyriova St). [3]
- Getting there: from Kovel or Lutsk — to Stara Vyzhivka, then local transport to Myltsi.
- Services: an active monastery; the liturgy timetable is posted locally, on Sundays and feasts.
- Superior: Archimandrite Leontii (Burko). [1]
- Nearby: the Verbka skete; the forest and marsh scenery of Volhynian Polissia. [1]
Frequently asked questions
What are the key documentary milestones of the Milet monastery?
The mention in Prince Sanguszko’s record before 1463; 1522 — confirmation of estates; 1542 — building of the St Nicholas church; 1707 — Union; 1839 — return to Orthodoxy; 1947 — closure; 1994 — revival. [1][2]
How is the monastery tied to the Sanguszko princes?
It was the “family monastery” of the Kowel branch of the Sanguszko line; they founded the church and endowed it with lands. [1][2]
What was the “Miletske opatstvo”?
The monastery’s name in 1713–1839, when it belonged to the Uniate church. [1]
What happened in Soviet times?
From 1947 an agricultural school and a boarding home for the disabled occupied it; only the cemetery Onufriivskyi church was preserved. [1]
Who leads the monastery today?
Namestnik — Archimandrite Leontii (Burko); since 2001 the monastery has a skete in Verbka. [1]
Conclusion
The Milet monastery amazes by the depth of its chronicle: from a medieval princely record through the imperial first class to the dereliction of the Soviet era — and finally revival. Volhynian Polissia has never seen such a concentration of Orthodox memory on one island. [1][2]