Odesa's Iveron Monastery honors miraculous icon of the Mother of God
A service at the Iveron Monastery. Photo: Screenshot from an Odesa Eparchy video
On October 26, 2026, the Ukrainian Orthodox Church's Holy Iveron Monastery in Odesa celebrated its patronal feast, honoring the miraculous Iveron Icon of the Mother of God, the Odesa Eparchy's press service reports.
With the blessing of Metropolitan Agafangel, the festive Divine Liturgy was presided over by Archbishop Diodor of Yuzhne, concelebrated by Bishop Anastasiy of Ovidiopol and the monastery's brethren.
The altar of the monastery's house church dedicated to St. Ignatius (Brianchaninov), Bishop of the Black Sea and Caucasus, was also consecrated that day.
The spiritual heart of the monastery is the Iveron Icon of the Mother of God, brought from Mount Athos 26 years ago. Known as the "Portaitissa" or "Gatekeeper," the icon is venerated as a symbol of the Most Holy Theotokos' protection and intercession. Believers come to the shrine daily to seek prayerful help and consolation.
The monastery also marked the 28th anniversary of the consecration of its main church. On October 26, 1998, Metropolitan Agafangel, the monastery's founder, consecrated the church and celebrated its first Divine Liturgy. Liturgical services have continued there uninterrupted ever since.
As the UOJ previously reported, the Iveron Monastery in Odesa was damaged in a missile strike.
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