First monastic tonsure performed at St. Elijah Monastery of Vinnytsia

Metropolitan Varsonophy, the clergy, and the brotherhood of the St. Elijah Monastery after the first monastic tonsure at the monastery. Photo: press service of the Vinnytsia Eparchy.

On August 23, 2026, the first monastic tonsure since the founding of the monastery was performed at the St. Elijah Monastery in Vinnytsia, reports the press service of the Vinnytsia Eparchy.

The tonsure was performed by Metropolitan Varsonophy of Vinnytsia and Bar. The monastery's resident hierodeacon Sophrony (Cherneha) received monastic tonsure and was given the name Lawrence, in honor of St. Lawrence of Chernihiv.

The rite took place in the lower church of the monastery, dedicated to Hieromartyr Innocent of Vinnytsia. The service was attended by the monastery's brotherhood and clergy from the Vinnytsia and other eparchies.

After the tonsure, Metropolitan Varsonophy addressed monk Lawrence with words of guidance and wished him God's help in his monastic life. The eparchy noted that the first tonsure was a significant event for the St. Elijah Monastery, which was founded in 2021.

The UOJ previously reported that a monk of the Svitiaz Monastery of the UOC was killed in the war.

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