One of the newest and largest Orthodox monasteries in Ukraine is located in the village of Bancheny in the Chernivtsi region.
 |
| Bancheny. Hertsa district. Chernivtsi region. The Holy Ascension Monastery |
The cloister stands on a hill amid picturesque forests and wonderful gardens.
 |
| Bancheny. The Holy Ascension Monastery |
The shining domes of the shrine can be seen for dozens of kilometres from every side.
Bukovyna numbers 16 monasteries with an ancient history on its territory, including cave monasteries. In recent years the Holy Ascension monastery for monks has become a place of pilgrimage.
Believers come from all over Ukraine and from the neighbouring states to pray, to venerate the relics, and to feel spiritual joy.
 |
| The wooden church |
 |
| The refectory |
It all began with an astonishing occurrence. At the foot of the hill there is a spring. Children from the neighbouring villages always drank water from it while playing. An incurably ill boy with physical disabilities began to recover. People noticed the healing properties of the water and decided to build in this place first a church and then a monastery.
 |
| The gazebo |
 |
| The refectory |
The cornerstone was laid in 1994, and in 1996 the monastery was opened to believers.
 |
| The cells |
In just 17 years, 6 churches and a hermitage have been opened.
 |
| The Holy Ascension church |
 |
| The Holy Ascension church |
On the monastery's grounds there are also other churches — of the Ascension of the Lord, of the Intercession of the Most Holy Mother of God, and the underground church of St. Sergius of Radonezh.
 |
| The Holy Ascension church |
It was built, as they say, by the whole world together. Someone donated a share of land, someone a cow.
 |
| The cells |
The Holy Trinity Cathedral was consecrated in 2011 and is the largest Orthodox church in Ukraine and in Europe.
 |
| The Holy Trinity church and bell tower |
 |
| The Holy Trinity church |
60 artists applied the frescoes using ancient techniques. In the altar part of the cathedral are placed particles of the relics of the Holy Innocent Infants of Bethlehem, of the Life-giving Tree of the Cross, the holy relics of St. Seraphim of Sarov, and of the Great Martyr Barbara.
 |
| The Holy Trinity church |
The gate bell tower, 60 metres high, was built to resemble St. Sophia of Kyiv.
 |
| The bell tower |
 |
| The bell tower. The arch |
It is only 7 kilometres to the border with Romania, so the service is conducted in the native language of the majority of the parishioners — Romanian.
 |
| The cells |
 |
| The Holy Ascension church |
The monastery courtyard resembles a botanical garden, where everything blooms and gives off its fragrance.
 |
| The cells |
In the variety and tidiness of its plants, the cloister's green zone is not inferior to the well-known arboretums. Rare birds live in the aviary; though they are not birds of paradise, they are all the same very beautiful.
In all, about 90 residents live in the cloister. A subsidiary farm, greenhouses, an orchard — there is plenty of work, and it is carried out with diligence and love. The harvest and the cows' milk the brethren share with orphanages and psychiatric hospitals.
 |
| The cells and the church of the Intercession of the Most Holy Mother of God |
The monastery is known not only as a focus of spiritual life, but also for its mission of mercy.
 |
| The church of the Intercession of the Most Holy Mother of God |
 |
| The church of the Intercession of the Most Holy Mother of God |
Around 400 children of various ages from all regions of Ukraine live at the monastery. These are orphaned children and disabled children whom their parents have given up.
 |
| The cells |
 |
| The cells |
The abbot of the monastery, Bishop Longin, while still a priest in a village church, organised a shelter for homeless children.
 |
| Rehabilitation centre for disabled children |
For them all conditions have been created for living, treatment and education, but the main thing is that the children feel the love of their neighbour and learn to live in love and mutual understanding.
Contracts have been concluded with foreign firms for supplying the children with clothing and the most necessary things in sufficient quantity.
The young are helped to find work and to acquire housing, so that they can begin an independent life.
The atmosphere in the monastery is such that you joyfully feel the strengthening of faith and the grace of this wondrous place.
 |
| The Holy Ascension church |
 |
| The refectory |
For pilgrims there is a large modern hotel, in which you may stay free of charge or make an affordable donation.
 |
| The Holy Ascension Monastery |
When you are at the monastery, do not miss the chance to sample, at a little cafe-shop, all sorts of baked goods — tasty and inexpensive, with various fillings.
 |
| The bell tower |
 |
| The Holy Ascension Monastery. The entrance |
The monastery is located in the Hertsa district. Buses run often from the city of Chernivtsi, and you need to travel as far as the village of Molnytsia.
 |
| The cross at the turn to the monastery |
At the turn there will be a cross; from it you need to climb uphill along the road for about 1,800 metres.
 |
| The road to the Holy Ascension Monastery |
No comments:
Post a Comment
Leave your impression