Sviatohirsk Lavra honors its heavenly patrons

The Sviatohirsk Lavra commemorated 17 Venerable Fathers of Sviatohirsk, the relics of 11 of whom are enshrined in the monastery’s main cathedral.

On September 24, 2026, solemn services were held at the Holy Dormition Sviatohirsk Lavra in honor of the Synaxis of the Venerable Fathers of Sviatohirsk. In the monastery’s Dormition Cathedral, the brethren and numerous pilgrims prayerfully honored the memory of the 17 glorified heavenly patrons of the Holy Mountains, the monastery’s website reports.

The festal services began on September 23 with the reading of the Ninth Hour, followed by Small Vespers and the All-Night Vigil. On the feast day itself, September 24, the morning prayers, Midnight Office, and Hours were followed by the festal Divine Liturgy. The brotherhood choirs sang under the direction of Archimandrite Arseniy (Vanyushin) and Archimandrite Rafail (Popov).

Before the communion of the laity, Archimandrite Theophan (Lyukshin) delivered a sermon to the faithful. Following the dismissal of the Liturgy, the clergy celebrated a prayer service with the blessing of water and a magnification to the Venerable Fathers of Sviatohirsk. Many Years was then sung for Metropolitan Arseniy of Sviatohirsk and all the monastery’s residents. The celebrations concluded with a festal meal.

Every year on this day, the Sviatohirsk Lavra commemorates all the holy ascetics who have shone forth at the monastery throughout its history. The Synaxis of the Venerable Fathers of Sviatohirsk includes 17 glorified saints, the relics of 11 of whom are enshrined for public veneration in the Dormition Cathedral.

The Sviatohirsk ascetics were canonized on July 12, 2008, and their common feast day was established on the anniversary of the repose of Venerable Confessor John (Streltsov), who foretold the revival of the monastery after it was closed in 1922.

Earlier, the UOJ reported that the Sviatohirsk Lavra celebrated its patronal feast.