Kiev, November 1, 2018
Photo: religions.unian.net Kiev’s Holy Protection-Goloseevsky Monatery was the site of a joyous, and massive celebration on Tuesday, as more than 100,000 faithful came to venerate Blessed Alypia (Avdeeva) the Fool-for-Christ on the 30th anniversary of her blessed repose.
The great ascetic of the 20th century is especially venerated by the Ukrainian faithful.
Photo: religions.unian.net The festive service in the monastery was headed by the chancellor of the Ukrainian Church His Eminence Metropolitan Anthony of Boryspil and Bovary, reports UNIAN.
Photo: religions.unian.net Speaking of the annual commemoration of her repose, Met. Anthony said, “Every year on October 30, Goloseevsky Monastery fills up with many people, and not just Ukrainians. People come here from Belarus, Moldova, Russia, and from even farther abroad. Here rest the remains of the revered Mother Alypia. Every believer sets before himself the most important task of earthly life—to be saved, to be holy… It means to be able to live with the holy God.”
Photo: religions.unian.net A panikhida was served for Blessed Alypia following the Divine Liturgy, after which all the pilgrims were treated to a festive meal in Matushka Alypia’s memory.
Access to Blessed Alypia’s tomb was open around-the-clock for everyone to be able to thank her for her intercessions and ask for her continuing prayers.
Photo: religions.unian.net In honor of the 30th anniversary of her repose, the monastery published a book of her miracles and healings.
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Mother Alypia was born on March 3/16, 1905. She was tonsured as a nun at the Kiev Caves Lavra in the 1940s, and, through the humble bearing of sorrows and numerous spiritual podvigs, the Lord granted her the gift of healing and clairvoyance.
In 1979, she settled on the ruins of the Goloseevsky Hermitage, destroyed in 1926, where she bore her spiritual labors. She was visited there by many people with requests for healing and spiritual help.
She reposed in the Lord on October 30, 1988 and was buried at the Lisove Cemetery in Kiev. On May 18, 2006, her relics were reburied in the Goloseevsky Monastery, in a tomb under the church in honor of the Life-Giving Spring Icon of the Mother of God.
Though not yet officially glorified, Mother Alypia’s veneration can be compared with that of St. Matrona in Moscow.
For more information, see the article “Blessed Alypia, Fool-for-Christ of Kiev.”
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