Cherkasy prepares for 100th anniversary of Martyr Rafaila of Chyhyryn

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

Metropolitan Theodosiy of Cherkasy and Kaniv consecrated reliquaries containing holy relics of St. Martyr Rafaila 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 Rafaila, which is being commemorated in 2026.

St. Martyr Rafaila (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, Abbess Rafaila 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 Abbess Rafaila 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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