965th anniversary of Yelets Convent prayerfully celebrated in Chernihiv

Four hierarchs of the UOC led the celebrations marking the 965th anniversary of the Yelets Monastery. Photo: Chernihiv Eparchy

On July 20, 2025, celebrations were held in Chernihiv to mark the 965th anniversary of the Dormition Yelets Convent of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, from which authorities have been attempting to evict the nuns for the past two years.

According to the press service of the Chernihiv Eparchy, on July 19, the All-Night Vigil at the monastery was celebrated by Archbishop Oleksandr of Horodnytsia and Archbishop Nikodym of Liubech.

On the feast day itself, the Divine Liturgy was led by Metropolitan Klyment of Nizhyn and Pryluky, concelebrated by Archbishop Oleksandr of Horodnytsia, Archbishop Nikodym of Liubech, and Bishop Feodosiy of Ladanka, along with clergy of the eparchy.

During the service, Abbess Maria (Makiyenko) was awarded the right to wear a second pectoral cross adorned with jewels.

After the Gospel reading, Metropolitan Klyment delivered a homily to the faithful. At the conclusion of the Liturgy, a magnification was offered before the monastery’s revered icon of the Mother of God, the "Yelets Icon."

Following the dismissal, Archbishop Nikodym congratulated Abbess Maria, the clergy, and all the faithful on the feast and thanked the hierarchs for their joint prayer.

Recall, on July 3, 2025, a hearing was held in the Commercial Court of the Chernihiv Region concerning the eviction of the nuns from the Yelets Monastery. Natalia Rebrova, director of the “Ancient Chernihiv” Reserve, told the media that efforts to seize the monastery from the nuns have been ongoing since 2023. At one point, the Ministry of Culture decided to transfer the site to the reserve’s management. “We are awaiting a decision that these buildings will be vacated, and the state, represented by the reserve, will be able to ensure the full functioning of this complex of unique monuments of national significance,” Rebrova stated.

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