The Holy Protection Men’s Monastery in the village of Rakoshyno in the Mukachevo district of the Transcarpathian Oblast is a house that grew around a unique church built in 1922–1927 to a design by the Russian emigrant officer Vsevolod Kolomatskyi. The church has the shape of a cross, surmounted by seven domes. The monastery was founded by a decree of Bishop of Mukachevo and Uzhhorod Ahapit on 24 February 2001. [1]
Briefly about the monastery
- Full name: Holy Protection Men’s Monastery of the Mukachevo Eparchy of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church. [1]
- Address: the village of Rakoshyno, Mukachevo district, Transcarpathian Oblast, on the Kyiv — Chop road. [1]
- Church: built in 1922–1927 to a design by Vsevolod Kolomatskyi. [1]
- Monastery founded: 24 February 2001 by a decree of Bishop Ahapit. [1]
- Distinctive feature: cross shape, seven domes, paintings by Kolomatskyi himself (not preserved). [1]
The locality and the village of Rakoshyno
The village of Rakoshyno is in the Mukachevo district of the Transcarpathian Oblast, on the Kyiv — Chop road, a few kilometres south of the city of Mukachevo. This is a foothill zone of Transcarpathia, not far from the main Carpathian ridge, with a mild climate and fertile lands. [1]
A busy road has long passed through the village, connecting central Ukraine with Transcarpathia and the border with Hungary and Slovakia. It was on this road, among the picturesque foothill landscapes, that the unique seven-domed church arose, which later became the heart of a men’s monastery. [1]
The Protection feast of the house
The monastery is dedicated to the Feast of the Protection of the Most Holy Theotokos — one of the most venerated feasts of the Orthodox calendar. The main church of the house is consecrated in honour of this event. [1]
The Protection of the Most Holy Theotokos commemorates the apparition of the Mother of God in the Blachernae church of Constantinople, when she spread her omophorion over the people as a sign of protection and intercession. For the inhabitants of Transcarpathia, who often live in foothill conditions, this idea of intercession is especially close.
The church — a creation of an emigrant officer
The church of the monastery was built in 1922–1927 to a design by the Russian emigrant officer Vsevolod Kolomatskyi. Even as a youth, Kolomatskyi had been wounded seven times. He commanded the 120th regiment in Mukachevo, and later was ordained a priest. [1]
Construction of the church began in 1922; the funds were provided by the peasants. V. Kolomatskyi even painted the interior of the church, though his paintings have not survived. [1]
The church has the shape of a cross, surmounted by seven domes. Kolomatskyi was for a time the curator of the church. His wife, who died in childbirth, is buried near the church; his daughter is also buried there. [1]
The Soviet period
In Soviet times a museum of atheism was housed in the church. However, the unique architecture — the cross shape with seven domes — has been preserved. [1]
The founding of the monastery
On 24 February 2001, by a decree of Bishop of Mukachevo and Uzhhorod Ahapit (of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church), the Holy Protection Men’s Monastery of the Mukachevo Eparchy of the UOC was founded. [1]
Since then monastic life has revived at the ancient church. The monastery is situated in a picturesque locality on the Kyiv — Chop road, not far from Mukachevo. [1]
Present life
Today the Holy Protection Men’s Monastery is an active house of the Mukachevo Eparchy. It combines an ancient architectural heritage with the monastic life of prayer, and its cross-shaped, seven-domed church attracts both pilgrims and lovers of architecture. [1]
Practical information
- Address: the village of Rakoshyno, Mukachevo district, Transcarpathian Oblast, on the Kyiv — Chop road. [1]
- Chief shrine: the unique cross-shaped church with seven domes (1922–1927). [1]
- Monastery: men’s, founded in 2001. [1]
- How to get there: the village of Rakoshyno is on the Kyiv — Chop road, not far from Mukachevo. [1]
Frequently asked questions
When was the church built?
In 1922–1927 to a design by the Russian emigrant officer Vsevolod Kolomatskyi. [1]
What is special about the church?
It has a cross shape, surmounted by seven domes; the interior was painted by Kolomatskyi himself, though the paintings have not survived. [1]
When was the monastery founded?
On 24 February 2001 by a decree of Bishop of Mukachevo and Uzhhorod Ahapit. [1]
What was housed in the church in Soviet times?
A museum of atheism. [1]
Where is the monastery located?
In the village of Rakoshyno, Mukachevo district, on the Kyiv — Chop road. [1]
Conclusion
The Holy Protection Men’s Monastery in Rakoshyno is a combination of the unique architectural heritage of the interwar period and revived monastic life. From the church built by the emigrant officer Kolomatskyi in 1922–1927, through the Soviet museum of atheism, to the founding of the monastery in 2001 — the house preserves the spiritual and cultural memory of the region. [1]