UOC Dnipropetrovsk Eparchy marks 450th anniversary of Samar Monastery

Procession at St. Nicholas Samar Monastery. Photo: Dnipropetrovsk Eparchy

The Dnipropetrovsk Eparchy of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church marked the 450th anniversary of the founding of the St. Nicholas Samar Hermitage for Men. Metropolitan Iriney of Dnipropetrovsk and Pavlohrad led the festive service on September 5, 2026, the eparchy’s press service reported.

The Divine Liturgy was celebrated in the monastery church dedicated to the Holy Great Martyr George the Victory-Bearer. Concelebrating with Metropolitan Iriney were Archbishop Yevlohiy of Novomoskovsk, vicar of the eparchy; Archimandrite Dosifey (Savelov), abbot of the monastery; and clergy from the Kamianske, Kryvyi Rih, and Dnipropetrovsk eparchies.

After the Gospel reading, Metropolitan Iriney delivered a sermon to the faithful. During the Liturgy, prayers were offered for peace in Ukraine, deliverance from the enemy, and for those who have fallen into despair or lost their homes. A religious procession was held after the service.

St. Nicholas Samar Monastery is considered one of the oldest monasteries in the Dnipro region and is closely associated with the history of the Zaporizhzhia Cossacks. Its 450-year history is traditionally dated from a charter issued by Polish King Stephen Báthory on August 29, 1576, granting the Zaporizhzhia Cossacks “the town of Samar together with the monastery.”

As the UOJ reported, the Dnipropetrovsk Eparchy earlier marked Metropolitan Iriney’s name day.

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