The Holy Iberian (Iverska) Women’s Monastery is a community in Donetsk, founded in 2002 at the church in honour of the Iberian Icon of the Mother of God on the city’s Orthodox cemetery. It grew out of a dependency (metochion) of the St Nicholas Women’s Monastery and soon received independent status. A particularly venerated copy of the Iberian icon, painted on Mount Athos, is kept in the house. [1][2]
Briefly about the monastery
- Full name: Holy Iberian Women’s Monastery, Donetsk Diocese. [1]
- Address: Donetsk city, 153 Stronatonavtiv Street. [2]
- Founded: 2002 (independent status). [2]
- Predecessor: from December 2001 — a dependency of the St Nicholas Women’s Monastery. [1]
- Shrine: a copy of the Iberian Icon of the Mother of God, painted on Athos. [2]
- Status: an active women’s monastery. [2]
The Iberian icon — the legacy of Athos
The house is dedicated to the Iberian Icon of the Mother of God, one of the most venerated Orthodox shrines in the world. By tradition, this icon appeared in a pillar of fire above the sea and was linked to the Iviron Monastery on Mount Athos. The name “Iberian” comes from the Georgian (Iberian) monks who founded the house. [3]
The Iberian image is honoured as one glorified by numerous miracles and intercession. That is why a copy of this icon, painted on Athos, became the main shrine of the Donetsk monastery. [2][3]
The path to the monastery
The history of the house began in April 1997, when the ruling hierarch of the Donetsk Diocese of the UOC (MP), Ilarion (Shukalo), laid the first stone in the foundation of a church on the territory of the city’s Orthodox cemetery. This church, dedicated to the Iberian icon, later became the main place of prayer for the future nuns and parishioners. [1]
A dependency of the St Nicholas Monastery
In December 2001, a dependency (metochion) of the St Nicholas Women’s Monastery was opened at the cemetery church in honour of the Iberian icon. That is, at first the community was not an independent house but a detached “branch” of an older women’s community. [1]
Already a year later, in December 2002, by the decision of the Holy Synod of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, the dependency received independent status and was transformed into the Holy Iberian Monastery. This took place with the blessing of Metropolitan of Donetsk and Mariupol Ilarion. [1][2]
Superiors and sisters
On 26 October 2004, on the Feast of the Iberian Icon of the Mother of God — the patronal feast of the house — the senior sister of the monastery, nun Amvrosiia (Bredneva), in accordance with a decision of the Holy Synod of the UOC, was raised to the rank of abbess (igumenia) by Metropolitan of Donetsk and Mariupol Ilarion, with the imposition of a pectoral cross. [2]
According to the sources, about 11 people — nuns and novices — live in the house, bearing the monastic feat in the city. [2]
The shrines of the house
Benefactors and parishioners donated kioti (icon cases) for the Iberian Icon of the Mother of God, St Nicholas the Wonderworker and the holy Apostle John the Theologian. Later, the house received icons of Venerable Seraphim of Sarov (with holy relics), Venerable Sergius of Radonezh, and the Venerables Anthony and Theodosius of the Caves. [2]
- The Iberian Icon — a copy painted on Athos; the main shrine. [2]
- Icons of St Nicholas and St John the Theologian — in kioti donated by benefactors. [2]
- Relics of Venerable Seraphim of Sarov — in the icon of this saint. [2]
The present situation
Since 2014 Donetsk has been under the control of unrecognised formations, and since 2022 it has been in a zone of full-scale war. In these conditions the monastery has effectively found itself beyond the reach of Ukrainian church jurisdiction, and the Donetsk Diocese itself has been split — a significant part of its churches and monasteries passed under the administration of Russian structures. This is a difficult period for the house and its sisters, who remain in the city. [1]
The Holy Iberian Monastery has become a symbol of the long-standing presence of Orthodox monasticism in industrial Donetsk — a city that was until the war one of the largest church centres of eastern Ukraine. [1][2]
Practical information
- Address: Donetsk city, 153 Stronatonavtiv Street. [2]
- Main feast: 26 October — the day of commemoration of the Iberian Icon of the Mother of God. [2]
- Shrines: an Athonite copy of the Iberian Icon, relics of Venerable Seraphim of Sarov. [2]
- Access: because of the war and occupation, access to the city for pilgrims from Ukrainian-controlled territory is extremely limited. [1]
Frequently asked questions
When was the Holy Iberian Monastery founded?
In 2002, when the dependency of the St Nicholas Monastery received independent status by a Synod decision. [1][2]
How did the house begin?
In 1997 the hierarch Ilarion laid the first stone of a church in the cemetery; in December 2001 a monastery dependency was opened here, and a year later it became independent. [1]
What is the main shrine?
A copy of the Iberian Icon of the Mother of God painted on Athos, as well as the icon of Venerable Seraphim of Sarov containing a relic. [2]
Who is the abbess?
Abbess Amvrosiia (Bredneva), raised to the rank on 26 October 2004. [2]
Can the monastery be visited?
Because of the occupation of Donetsk and the hostilities, access for pilgrims from Ukrainian-controlled territory is in practice impossible. [1]
Conclusion
The Holy Iberian Women’s Monastery is a short but intense history of Orthodox monasticism in the heart of Donbas. From the first stone of 1997, laid in a cemetery, to an independent house in 2002 and the elevation of Abbess Amvrosiia in 2004, the community grew together with the revival of the Church in independent Ukraine. Today, in time of war, it remains a witness that faith and the monastic feat do not cease even in the hardest circumstances. [1][2]