Five nuns tonsured at Biliv convent
Archbishop Pimen with the newly tonsured nuns. Photo: Press service of the Rivne Eparchy
On April 13, 2025, the Feast of the Entry of the Lord into Jerusalem, a special event took place at the Nativity of the Theotokos Women’s Monastery in the village of Biliv – the monastic tonsure of five sisters of the community. This was reported by the press service of the Rivne Eparchy of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church.
The rite was performed by Archbishop Pimen of Rivne and Ostroh. During the service, with special prayers and chanting, holding candles and dressed in garments symbolizing the renunciation of the world, the nuns made their vows before God and the Church, fully dedicating themselves to a life of service to the Lord.
At tonsure, the sisters received new names: Sister Zosima became Zinaida, Sister Makaria – Marionila, Sister Nonna – Nymphodora, Sister Lukia – Platonida, and Sister Glafira – Agrippina.
In his homily, Archbishop Pimen said: “Monasticism is not an escape from the world, but a deep entry into the struggle for the salvation of the soul. It is a path of love, obedience, and ceaseless prayer that leads to union with Christ. Today the sisters have made their choice – they follow Christ in the silence of monastic labor, and we pray that the Lord will strengthen them in this holy service.”
Earlier, the UOJ analyzed why the number of monastics in the UOC continues to grow amid persecution.
Read also
Priests and laity of Rivne Eparchy donate blood for children with cancer
In Rivne, the UOC clergy and laity have donated blood for children undergoing treatment for cancer.
Kyiv seminary students meet with People’s Artist Larisa Kadochnikova
Students of Kyiv’s theological schools spoke with the legend of Ukrainian cinema, who shared her memories of filming "Shadows of Forgotten Ancestors".
Bancheny Monastery reports provocation
The UOC monastery in Bancheny has reported a provocation by unidentified individuals.
Romanian Church to hold joint prayer for peace in Ukraine
On the fourth anniversary of the beginning of the war in Ukraine, special prayers for an end to the hostility will be offered in all churches of the Romanian Patriarchate, both in the country and abroad.
Armenian bishops call on authorities to stop Church persecution
At a meeting in Austria, hierarchs of the Armenian Apostolic Church reaffirmed their faithfulness to Catholicos Karekin II of All Armenians and called on the authorities to stop the persecution of the clergy.
Italian media: Ukrainian authorities persecute the country’s largest confession
The Italian outlet L’Identità reported on mass searches, the arrests of clergy, and the ban on the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, which it describes as the largest Church in Ukraine.