The Basilian Monastery of the Nativity of Saint John the Baptist in Bar is a monastery of the Order of Saint Basil the Great (OSBM) of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church on Soborna Street, which revived the long tradition of the Basilian fathers in this town. The Basilians came to the Bar region in 1715, from 1718 they ran a “Ruthenian school” in town, and after the suppression of the Jesuits in 1773 they took over their monastery and college. Abolished by the will of Tsar Nicholas I in 1837–1839, the monastery revived in 1996 and was consecrated in 2003 by Bishop Ephrem Kryvyi. [1][2]
At a glance
- Name: Monastery of the Nativity of Saint John the Baptist, OSBM, Province of the Most Holy Saviour of the UGCC.
- Address: Bar, 22 Soborna St., Vinnytsia Oblast.
- First foundation: 1715 (Semenky), privilege for settling in Bar — 1727.
- Suppression: 1832 (school), 1837–1839 (monastery handed to the Orthodox).
- Revival: 25.05.1996 (transfer of the building) → consecration 21.09.2003 by Bishop Ephrem Kryvyi.
History of the monastery
1715: the Basilians come to the Bar region
The Basilian fathers settled at Bar in 1715. First, in the village of Semenky, 8 km from town, they founded a monastery — a monastery ruined by the Turks in the times of King Jan Sobieski had once stood there; the fate of those monks is unknown. Documents attest that already in 1718 a Basilian school operated in Bar, run by the monks from Semenky — the so-called Ruthenian school based on folk education. [1]
The charter of 1727
In 1727 the Bar starost Yurii Liubomyrskyi issued a privilege and allotted land for the Basilians to settle in Bar itself. This became the legal basis of the order’s town seat, which quickly turned into the educational centre of the region. [1]
1773: the Jesuit inheritance
Since 1633 a Jesuit college existed in Bar; the Jesuits invited the Basilians to help them teach, particularly the Slavic language and the Eastern rite. After the Holy See suppressed the Jesuit order in 1773, the Basilian fathers took over their monastery and school: they completed the construction of the complex and successfully continued educational work. By a decision of the General Chapter of 1772 parish schools for children of the impoverished Eastern-rite gentry were created at monasteries — Bar was in the front ranks of this programme. [1]
Suppression of 1832–1839
The Basilian school in Bar was closed in 1832. The monastery itself was abolished by the will of Emperor Nicholas I: in 1837 it was transferred to the Orthodox spiritual administration, and the final liquidation was carried out in 1839. The monks had to look for other dwellings. Basilian Podillia at Bar fell silent for a century and a half. [1]
Revival of 1996–2003
On 25 May 1996 the Greek Catholic community of Bar donated the building at № 22 Soborna Street with the adjacent territory for a monastery with a church to the Basilian fathers of the Province of the Most Holy Saviour in Ukraine. The consecration of the monastery of Saint John the Baptist and the church of the Most Holy Theotokos attached to it was performed on 21.09.2003 by Bishop Ephrem Kryvyi from Brazil. The building, erected back in 1616, was rebuilt in 1902 and 2002. [2]
What to see
- The monastery and church at 22 Soborna St. — a historic 17th-century building (rebuildings of 1902, 2002).
- The church of the Most Holy Theotokos adjoining the monastery, consecrated in 2003.
- Within walking distance — the Carmelite monastery, St Anne’s church and the remains of the Bar fortress. [3]
Practical information
- Address: Bar, 22 Soborna St.
- Getting there: from Vinnytsia to Bar — bus/railway, then on foot to the centre.
- Services: liturgies according to the UGCC community’s schedule; the monastery is active.
- About the Basilians: the Order of Saint Basil the Great is the oldest order of the UGCC, famous in Podillia primarily for schooling.
- Trip: Bar combines comfortably with Sharhorod and Vapniarka on a single Vinnytsia route.
Frequently asked questions
When did the Basilians come to Bar?
In 1715 — first to the village of Semenky nearby; in Bar itself they were established by the privilege of starost Yurii Liubomyrskyi in 1727. [1]
What was the Bar Basilian school known for?
It was a “Ruthenian school” of the folk type, working from 1718; after 1773 the Basilians also took over the Jesuit college. The school was closed in 1832. [1]
Why did the monastery cease to exist in the 19th century?
By decree of Nicholas I, in 1837 it was transferred to the Orthodox administration, and in 1839 liquidated for good. [1]
How was the monastery revived?
In 1996 the UGCC community donated the building on Soborna St. to the Basilians; in 2003 the monastery and church were consecrated by Bishop Ephrem Kryvyi. [2]
Which order is it?
The Order of Saint Basil the Great (OSBM) — a Greek Catholic monastic order; the Bar monastery belongs to the Province of the Most Holy Saviour. [2]
Conclusion
The Basilian monastery of Bar is above all a school: three centuries ago “Ruthenian children” were taught here through the Jesuit college, and today there is again prayer and the UGCC community in the heart of Podillia. A monastery that twice disappeared and twice returned is living proof of the unbreakable Basilian tradition in the Bar region. [1][2]