Preparations for centenary of St. Rafaela of Chyhyryn's martyrdom begin in Cherkasy

Reliquaries containing holy relics of St. Martyr Rafaela of Chyhyryn. Photo: Cherkasy Eparchy

Metropolitan Theodosius of Cherkasy and Kaniv consecrated reliquaries containing holy relics of St. Martyr Rafaela of Chyhyryn, reports the press service of the Cherkasy Eparchy of the UOC.

The consecration of the reliquaries took place on August 9 as part of preparations for the centenary of the martyrdom of Venerable Martyr Rafaela, which is being commemorated in 2026.

St. Martyr Rafaela (Tartatska) was the last abbess of the Holy Trinity Chyhyryn Convent. After the monastery was closed by Soviet authorities, she continued her monastic ministry and prayer life together with the sisters.

It is known that in mid-August 1926, Hegumeness Rafaela was seized and subjected to brutal abuse, after which she suffered a martyr’s death. The exact date of her death has not been established; it is only known that it occurred in mid-August 1926.

The remains of Hegumeness Rafaela were discovered on December 10, 2003. On May 24, 2005, a rite of glorification of her as a Venerable Martyr was held at the Kazan Cathedral in Chyhyryn. The saint’s relics were subsequently transferred to the Holy Trinity Chyhyryn Convent.

As the UOJ reported, a procession with the relics of St. Avvakum of Cherkasy was held in the Cherkasy Eparchy.

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