The Monastery of the Nativity of Christ in Volodymyr is a community gathered around the former Jesuit cathedral of 1755–1770 in the heart of Volhynia’s ancient capital. The masonry church has survived a Jesuit mission, a Basilian collegium, an Orthodox episcopal see, a Soviet plan to blow it up, and the 1991 return to the faithful; since 2002 the sisters of a women’s convent have lived here, led by Abbess Anna. [1][3]
At a glance
- Full name: Monastery of the Nativity of Christ in Volodymyr (women’s, OCU). [1][3]
- Address: city of Volodymyr, 20 Mykolaivska Street, Volyn Oblast. [2]
- Church: the Cathedral of the Nativity of Christ, late Baroque, 1755–1770. [2]
- History: Jesuits (1718) → Basilians (1782) → Orthodox see (1840) → women’s monastery (2002). [1][2]
- Superior: Abbess Anna (Kulinets), who returned to Volodymyr after the cloister’s consecration on 24 March 2002. [3]
History of the cloister
The Jesuit mission (1718–1782)
The shrine began with a donation deed of 23 February 1718, by which Yadviha, wife of the Volhynian castellan Stefan Zahorovskyi, invited the Jesuits to the city. Construction began in 1755 on the initiative and at the expense of the Slonim starosta Hnat Sadovskyi, to a design by the Jesuit architect Michał Radzimiński (according to other sources — Paweł Giżycki). In 1762 the mission received the status of a monastery, and in 1770 the church — then called the Sending of the Apostles — was consecrated by the Lutsk bishop Feliks Turski after the founder’s death. [1][2]
When the 1773 papal brief Dominus ac Redemptor suppressed the Society of Jesus, the authorities began redistributing its monasteries. [1][2]
The Basilians (1782–1840): the collegium and education
In 1782 the Polish Educational Commission handed the church and monastic ranges to the Greek-Catholic Basilian Order. On this base the Basilians created a collegium — one of the most prestigious schools of the day — where, among others, the future metropolitan Feofan Prokopovych and the inventor Stefan Stubilievych studied. [2]
In 1840, after the uniate monasteries of Volhynia were reconciled into the Russian Orthodox Church, the monastery became an Orthodox (men’s) monastery; a bishop’s cathedra was established here, and from 1891 the church served as the residence of the bishops of Volodymyr (second vicars of the Volyn diocese). [1][2]
Soviet ruin and the return of 1991
From 1939 the complex lost its residential status: the building was given to a school. In Soviet times the church served as a storehouse for mineral fertilizers and vegetables; in 1960 the authorities planned to blow it up, and only the fact that the blast would have destroyed the surrounding houses in the city centre saved it. [2]
From 1983 restoration work began on the architectural monument, and in 1991 the cathedral and monastic range were handed to the Orthodox community of Volodymyr. [1][2]
Revival as a women’s cloister (1995–today)
In 1995 a community gathered with the initiative of restoring the monastery. The cloister was consecrated on 24 March 2002, and its first superior became Mother Varvara, who had previously lived in the Dubno convent. [2]
Today the cloister is led by Abbess Anna (Kulinets). In February 2017, at the request of Bishop Matfei and by a decision of the Synod, she returned to Volodymyr after a thirteen-year interval, continuing the spiritual mission begun in the Korets and Dubno monasteries. The sisters gradually restore the household: the refectory, the cell range, the modest garden plot the mother proudly shows her guests. [3]
Architectural value
The Cathedral of the Nativity of Christ is an example of late Baroque in Volhynia, built in 1755–1770. Today the complex includes the cathedral and residential premises being gradually restored, plus the convent’s interior gallery. The church serves the sisters as a daily oratory and adds a distinctive silhouette to the ensemble of Volodymyr’s historic centre. [2][3]
Spiritual significance
The Monastery of the Nativity of Christ teaches us that the continuity of prayer does not depend on epochs: the Jesuits erected the masonry church here, the Basilians opened a school, the Orthodox hierarchs made a cathedra, and the sisters brought the light of the divine services back into the cluttered premises. It is a place where every age left its contribution in the name of Christ. [2][3]
Practical information
- Address: city of Volodymyr, 20 Mykolaivska Street (central part, near the former cathedra buildings). [2]
- Getting there: by train or bus to Volodymyr, then on foot through the old centre. [2]
- Guests: the sisters love guests; it is best to arrange a visit in advance through the eparchy or the nun on duty. [3]
- Feasts: the chief feast is the Nativity of Christ; festive services follow the church calendar. [2]
- Nearby: Volodymyr’s cathedral monuments — a town with a rich Uniate-Orthodox map. [2]
Frequently asked questions
Is the church active?
Yes — since 1991 the Cathedral of the Nativity of Christ has belonged to the Orthodox community; services are held there by the women’s convent led by Abbess Anna. [3]
Why is the monastery called women’s, if the building was Jesuit?
Because the present community was built on the site of the historical cloister: since 2002 nuns came here to lead the chapel and live by the rule of a women’s convent. [2]
Who built the masonry church?
The Jesuits in 1755–1770, probably to the design of a Jesuit architect (Michał Radzimiński or Paweł Giżycki). [1]
How did the Basilians come to Volodymyr?
In 1782 the Polish Educational Commission handed them the Jesuit buildings after the order’s suppression — here appeared the collegium where Feofan Prokopovych studied. [2]
Can one visit?
Yes, by prior arrangement with the sisters or through the diocesan administration; it is best to visit around the hours of the services. [3]
Conclusion
The Monastery of the Nativity of Christ shows how an ancient Jesuit cathedral, a Basilian collegium, an Orthodox cathedra and a Soviet vegetable store are transformed into a living women’s cloister. In the quiet heart of Volodymyr resounds a prayer first heard by the Jesuits in 1770 and taken up again by the sisters in 2002 under Mother Varvara — a great dialogue of faith above the traces of centuries. [1][2][3]