The Holy Trinity Cyril and Methodius Women’s Monastery is situated in the picturesque foothills near the village of Drachyno not far from the town of Svaliava in Transcarpathia. The founder of the house is the dean of the Svaliava district, rector of the Nativity of the Mother of God church in Svaliava, Archpriest Vasyl Barna. The monastery was opened on 27 July 1996, and its main church was built on the model of the famous medieval Russian church of the Protection on the Nerl, with a blue dome decorated with 150 gilded stars. [1][2]
Briefly about the monastery
- Full name: Holy Trinity Cyril and Methodius Women’s Monastery. [2]
- Address: the village of Drachyno (Svaliava district), Transcarpathian Oblast, about 3 km from Svaliava. [2]
- Founder: Archpriest Vasyl Barna. [1][2]
- Opened: 27 July 1996 (first stone — 1992). [1][2]
- Chief shrine: the venerated icon of the Mother of God of Feodor (Feodorivska). [2]
- First abbess: nun Nina (Mizun). [1]
The idea of the foundation
The idea of creating a women’s monastery arose in Vasyl Barna as early as 1988, when he was transferred to pastoral service in Svaliava. Since this area was largely settled by parishioners of the Roman Catholic Church, obstacles on the part of the local authorities arose on the way to resolving the matter. [1][2]
In 1992, Barna turned for a blessing to Bishop of Mukachevo and Uzhhorod Yevfymii (Shutak) with a request for the opening of the monastery and the start of construction. The blessing was received. In autumn 1992, the place for the foundation of a residential building was consecrated, which later housed the first domestic church in honour of Cyril and Methodius. [1][2]
The opening of the house
For the organization of permanent monastic life, in 1995 nun Theodosia (Iliashevych) and novice Hanna — both inhabitants of the St Nicholas Women’s Monastery in Mukachevo — were sent to the monastery. Theodosia was tonsured into the great schema under the name Melania. [1]
The monastery was opened on 27 July 1996. The first abbess — nun Nina (Mizun), who began her work on 18 October 1996; earlier she had been a nun of the Holy Ascension Women’s Monastery in the village of Chumalovo. [1]
In 1995–1996 and 1997, various priests served in the monastery; later the pastoral service in the house was begun by hieromonk Varfalomei (Kis) (from 1997), and then by Archimandrite Vasyl (Sadvarii). [1]
The main church — the Protection on the Nerl
On 8 April 1997, Archpriest Mykhailo Kiukalo consecrated the foundation of the main church of the monastery. The church was built on the architectural type of the Russian church of the Protection of the Most Holy Theotokos, which stands on the Nerl river (Bogoliubovo, Vladimir Oblast, Russia). [1][2]
In connection with the construction of the main Holy Trinity church, the women’s monastery was renamed the Holy Trinity Cyril and Methodius Monastery. [1]
The architectural ensemble of the monastery combines old traditions and modern forms, skilfully using the features of the foothill landscape. The proportions and forms of the Protection on the Nerl were made the basis of the architectural concept. Its blue dome is decorated with 150 gilded stars, and the interior painting of the church was done by Kyiv icon painters together with the sisters of the house. [2]
Shrines
In the main church is also located the chief shrine of the house — the venerated icon of the Mother of God of Feodor. [2]
The monastery also includes a church in the name of the Life-Giving Trinity, a domestic church of the holy Cyril and Methodius, and a monument to the holy Equal-to-the-Apostles Cyril and Methodius, which the parishioners of the house presented in November 2005. [2]
Present life
Today about 30 sisters serve in the house. The monastery is situated in a picturesque place, almost entirely surrounded by small mountains covered with dense forests. [2][3]
The Holy Trinity Cyril and Methodius Monastery is one of the centres of women’s monasticism in Transcarpathia, combining prayer, icon painting and economic service. [2]
Practical information
- Address: the village of Drachyno, Svaliava district, Transcarpathian Oblast (about 3 km from Svaliava). [2]
- Chief shrine: the icon of the Mother of God of Feodor. [2]
- Main church: the Holy Trinity, built on the model of the Protection on the Nerl (foundation consecrated on 8 April 1997). [1][2]
- How to get there: the village of Drachyno not far from Svaliava, a few kilometres from the town. [2]
Frequently asked questions
Who founded the monastery?
Archpriest Vasyl Barna, dean of the Svaliava district and rector of the Nativity of the Mother of God church in Svaliava. [1][2]
When was the monastery opened?
On 27 July 1996; the first stone was laid as early as 1992. [1][2]
On the model of which church was the main church built?
On the model of the medieval Russian church of the Protection on the Nerl (Bogoliubovo, Russia). [1][2]
What is the chief shrine?
The venerated icon of the Mother of God of Feodor. [2]
How many sisters live in the house?
About 30 sisters. [2][3]
Conclusion
The Holy Trinity Cyril and Methodius Women’s Monastery near Svaliava is a young but already famous house of Transcarpathia. From the idea of Archpriest Vasyl Barna in 1988, through the laying of the first stone in 1992 and the opening in 1996, to the main church modelled on the Protection on the Nerl with 150 gilded stars on a blue dome — the monastery has become a spiritual and icon-painting centre of the region. [1][2]