The Holy Trinity Starosilskyi Women’s Monastery is a young convent of the Volyn Eparchy that grew on the ruins of a former missile-forces base and an abandoned farmstead. Founded in 2006 by the first sisters of the Mykhnivskyi Convent, within a quarter of a century it has become a renowned spiritual school of childhood for thousands of children thanks to the summer programme “Stezhyna dobrA” (“The Path of Good”).
At a glance
- Full name: Holy Trinity Starosilskyi Women’s Monastery (UOC, Volyn Eparchy).
- Address: Dukhovni Viiska village tract, Manevychi district, Volyn Oblast (near the village of Starosillia). [1][3]
- Founded: blessing of the archiereus in 2006; official Synod opening — 29 May 2007. [1]
- Type: women’s, communal (chernytsya / sisterhood community). [1]
- Superior: Abbess Sofiia (Tsymbal). [1][2]
- Main church: in honour of Saint Basil the Great (laid down on 27 May 2006). [1]
- Special feature: the children’s camp “Stezhyna dobrA” for orphans, children of villagers, students and friends. [2][3]
History of the monastery
From missile base to monastery grounds
Until 1996 the area sheltered a missile-forces station; after dissolving the unit the territory with its brick barracks passed to local farmers, who were unable to put it to proper use. In 2005 several buildings and the land were bought up by the church authorities with an eye to a farmstead: the diocese needed well-organised grounds for children’s camps and for labour cures for the infirm. [1]
The settling of the sisters (2006–2007)
With the blessing of Metropolitan Nifont on 1 March 2006 the first inhabitants — sisters of the Meeting Convent (Mykhnivka) — began to settle in the Manevskyi tract. The first inhabitants adapted the old officers’ quarters into housing; on 27 May 2006 the foundation stone of a church in honour of Saint Basil the Great was laid; and by the decision of the Holy Synod of the UOC on 22 November 2006 (Journal No. 57) the Holy Trinity women’s monastery was opened in the village of Starosillia — the second women’s monastery of the Volyn Eparchy, its first inhabitant being nun Sofiia. [1][2]
The official establishment and civil registration of the monastery fell on 29 May 2007. [1] Initially the sisters lived in difficult conditions: they lit gas stoves, fetched water in buckets from the artesian well, froze in winter, but in summer prayer and labour in the garden drew hearts closer. [3]
The growth of the 2010s: camp life
Gradually a monastery with a kitchen and refectory was built on site; the brick water tower was turned into a belfry. In the 2010s the sisterhood opened the children’s camp “Stezhyna dobrA“, in which since 2009 children from the Manevychi district and Lutsk have taken part. As of 2021, the camp admitted its tenth season over 11 years of work. [2][3]
Sisterhood and obedience
The community is led today by Abbess Sofiia (Tsymbal). The nuns care for an apiary, a kitchen garden and vegetable plots, run a greenhouse economy, bake prosphoras, craft with their own hands, and share time with the children. In their obedience they follow the Volhynian monastic tradition: prayer in church and labour for the needs of the cloister. [1][2]
Ensemble and grounds
- The Church of Saint Basil the Great — the recently completed monastery church with a brick belfry. [1]
- The first church — consecrated on 25 November 2006, remained in service during construction. [1]
- The former water tower — rebuilt as the belfry (dzvinytsia). [1]
- The grounds and gardens — vegetable gardens, a greenhouse, an apiary and the children’s camp with its playgrounds. [1][2]
Spiritual mission: “Stezhyna dobrA”
The camp under the patronage of Archimandrite Illya (Vyshnevskyi) was created so that children of the Polesie and beyond know the Lord. In 2018 the programme drew children from the Manevychi district; some years the children are visited by bishops. Volunteers teach the children of rural families reading, obedience to Christ, and living in community. [2][3]
The desire to serve children flows out of the monastic life itself: hospitality since the first years, the sisterhood’s understanding of the age. “The monastery has a spiritual responsibility toward children; we purify the foundation for others,” notes Ierei Illya. [2]
Practical information
- Address: Dukhovni Viiska village tract, Manevychi district, Volyn Oblast (~7 km from Starosillia). [1][3]
- Getting there: from Lutsk — toward Manevychi; local transport to Starosillia, then on foot. [1]
- Services: liturgies per the schedule; feast-day patron celebrations in honour of the Holy Trinity. [1]
- Pilgrims: those wishing to help with the camp or get a blessing for children may petition ahead; the sisterhood welcomes guests. [2]
- Nearby: Volhynian forests and meadows — quiet places for walks after festal services. [1]
Frequently asked questions
How old is the monastery?
Ecclesiastically, it began on 1 March 2006 (the settling of the first sisters); Synod recognition was on 22 November 2006 (Journal 57); civil registration was on 29 May 2007. [1]
Who laid the first stone?
On 27 May 2006 the foundation stone of the church of Saint Basil the Great was laid. [1]
Who leads the sisterhood?
Abbess Sofiia (Tsymbal) — the first inhabitant, elevated to the dignity of abbess. [1][2]
What is “Stezhyna dobrA”?
A camp programme founded in 2009: a healing space for children of the Polesk area, led by Ierei Illya Vyshnevskyi; as of 2021 — over ten years of work. [2]
Can one help?
Yes — the camp and farm always welcome volunteers; it is best to contact the sisterhood or the archiereus with a petition. [2]
Conclusion
The story of Starosillia shows that out of a closed missile station and a farmer’s grounds there can grow a monastic hearth with camps for the blossoming of the people’s soul. Built between 2006 and 2013 under Abbess Sofiia, the monastery has become a Volhynian symbol of prayer for children, hospitality and fruitful labour. [1][2][3]