Sviatohorivka. The Holy Springs of Donbas

Since ancient times springs have been considered the beginning of life; from them flow rivers both small and great. In the Donbas, not rich in water resources, springs are a gift of nature and a kind of indicator of the ecological state of the area. Springs need revival and protection from man-made impact. Sadly, in recent years we have seen healing springs grow shallow and disappear, and so examples of careful treatment of these protected corners deserve attention.

 

Sviatohorivka, Donetsk region. The Life-Giving Spring

The spring in Sviatohorivka, Pokrovsk district of Donetsk region, has been known for more than 100 years. As with other historical events, a legend has been composed about the appearance of the Sviatohorivka spring. Once upon a time shepherds noticed a radiance in the meadows on this spot -- an epiphany of the Mother of God. Where she touched the ground, water gushed forth.

The Sviatohorivka spring is one of the holy places of the Dobropillia area; people come here from all over the region and, as the quality of tap water worsens, stock up on this valuable resource in large quantities. Clean and fresh, the water is called healing and rejuvenating, because the chemical composition of spring water is balanced by nature itself and is a pure ecological product, good for one's health.

Natural filtration through the layers of soil preserves the properties of this priceless product. Unlike water in mains systems, spring water on its way to the surface is not subjected to high pressure or water hammer, and keeps its proper structure. Passing along the water-bearing vein, the water becomes saturated with trace elements. As it comes to the surface the temperature of the spring water is about 6-8 degrees; in winter it does not freeze, and in summer it stays cool, which prevents pathogenic bacteria from multiplying in it. The excess water flows down into the Byk river, which rises 16 kilometres east of the spring.

 

A stream running to the Byk river

In the second half of the 20th century the spring was surrounded by a small fence. On the day of the Holy Epiphany the priest of the Holy Dormition church would dip the cross into the spring, blessing the water and all the parishioners.

 

At the end of the 1980s the district authorities came up with the idea of supplying the village with water from the Sviatohorivka spring. The plan was to lay water pipes along the streets and connect them to the water-bearing vein. Despite the dubious nature of the operation and the protests of the Sviatohorivka residents, a geological survey organisation drilled a borehole 15-20 metres from the holy spring.

 

Opponents and supporters of the project argued about its expediency and about whether the composition of the water would change after this artificial intrusion into the life-giving strata. But the party leadership insisted and assured everyone the plan would succeed. At last water came from the borehole -- yet not crystal clear as in the holy spring, but white as milk. The night passed, day came, and the water had not changed its colour. Convinced that what they had undertaken was futile, the workers welded the pipe shut for good.

Sviatohorivka. The spring of St Panteleimon

In the 1990s the parishioners built a bathhouse for immersion beside the spring of St Panteleimon.

 

The bathhouse by the spring of St Panteleimon

A stone protective cross was set up at the blessed spring and the grounds were laid out.

The Sviatohorivka spring. The protective cross

Shrubs have been planted on the former wasteland, flowerbeds laid out, paths paved and benches installed.

 

The resting area is complemented by an exhibition of millstones, a decorative mill and a stone crag with a storks' nest.

 

The entrance to the spring is crowned by a wrought-iron arch made by the Dobropillia master Kravtsov-Marych. What is missing is an information stand with the history of the spring, the results of the water analysis and the schedule of services.

 

After some time another bathhouse and a pipe carrying spring water appeared 80 metres to the east.

 

The bathhouse by the Life-Giving Spring

The path to this new little pearl of Sviatohorivka was cleared of reeds and paved with brickwork.

A canopy was raised over the life-giving spring and a memorial plaque installed, with an appeal to the healing power of the water and thanks for their labour to the Cossack Leonid Tryzhdiia, to fellow villagers, to the Orthodox community and to the residents of Dobropillia and the district.

The Sviatohorivka spring has no nature-protection status and is looked after by the residents of Sviatohorivka.

You can reach the spring from Pokrovsk and Dobropillia along the T-05-15 road: cross the Byk river by the bridge and turn right onto Travneva street. After 300 metres there will be a car park and the entrance arch on the right.

Coordinates: 48°29'3"N 37°2'36"E