Sviatohirsk Lavra celebrates its principal shrine

Celebrations in honor of the wonderworking Sviatohirsk Icon of the Mother of God were held at the Sviatohirsk Lavra in the Donetsk Region on July 29 and 30, 2026, the monastery’s press service reports.

The services began at noon on July 29 with the reading of the Ninth Hour, followed by Small Vespers and an akathist to the Mother of God sung by two monastic choirs.

The icon had been placed in the center of the Dormition Cathedral the day before and adorned with flowers purchased through donations from the faithful. Sisters from the Lavra’s Skete of the Icon of the Mother of God “Joy of All Who Sorrow” and St. John’s Skete decorated the image. At 4:00 p.m. that same day, the brethren celebrated a solemn All-Night Vigil.

On the feast day itself, July 30, the brethren celebrated the Divine Liturgy. The liturgical hymns were sung by the monastic choirs under the direction of Archimandrite Arseniy (Vaniushin) and Archimandrite Rafail (Popov).

As in the previous year, all the monastery’s residents prepared to receive Holy Communion by observing a strict three-day fast.

Following the Liturgy, a prayer service with the blessing of water was held. The celebrations concluded with the chanting of “Many Years” and an invitation for everyone present to share in a festive meal.

Earlier, the UOJ reported that UOC volunteers had delivered two tons of humanitarian aid to the Sviatohirsk Lavra.