Feb 17 – commemoration day of Lavra's last abbot before its closure in 1961

Abbot of the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra (1953–1961) Bishop Nestor (Tuhay). Photo: Facebook page of Hierodeacon Ilya (Hrinchenko)

February 17 marks the blessed repose of Bishop Nestor (Tuhay), the last abbot of the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra before its closure in 1961. Hierodeacon Ilya Hrinchenko of the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra reminded of this on Facebook.

Bishop Nestor was raised in the Lavra from the age of ten. Having absorbed the wisdom of the Lavra’s elders from childhood, he endured the hardships of Stalin’s labor camps and World War II. After the war, he returned to the monastery, served in various obediences, and was appointed abbot of the Lavra on August 1, 1953.

His tenure coincided with the harsh Khrushchev-era persecutions of the Church. The situation was particularly tragic for the monastery’s brethren. In early 1958, there were 96 monks in the Lavra, but by mid-1960, their number had decreased to 37, and by February 15, 1961, only 11 monks remained. Monks were systematically stripped of their Kyiv registration and transferred to monasteries in other regions of Ukraine.

During these years, the authorities also closed the Far Caves and the Exaltation of the Cross Church, sealed the Church of All Pechersk Saints (known as the Warm Church), filled in the holy wells, and seized most of the monastery’s buildings – 5 out of 8. Only the Annunciation Church was left for services. A large-scale campaign against the monastery was launched in the press, on radio, and television.

On February 15, 1961, the Lavra was officially closed to visitors. However, believers continued to come to the sanctuary – it is known that on Easter night in 1962, a service was still held at the Far Caves.

After the Lavra’s closure, Bishop Nestor served in the Kharkiv Eparchy (1961–1964) and the Chernihiv Eparchy (1964–1969). He passed away on February 17, 1969, and was buried, according to his will, in monastic attire at the Zvirynets Cemetery.

"Grant, O Lord, eternal rest to the soul of Your departed servant, ever-remembered Bishop Nestor, together with all the departed brethren of this holy Lavra, and make their memory eternal," Hierodeacon Ilya Grinchenko urged believers to pray.

Earlier, the UOJ reported that the court suspended the hearing on the eviction of monks from the Lower Lavra.

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