Pochaev, June 18, 2019
Photo: pochaev.org.ua
Thousands of Orthodox faithful attended the celebrations on the occasion of the 800th anniversary of the founding of the Holy Dormition-Pochaev Lavra’s Holy Spirit Skete on Monday, the feast of the Holy Spirit. The festive Divine Liturgy was celebrated by His Eminence Metropolitan Theodore of Kamenets-Podolsky and Gorodok in the skete’s Iveron Church, reports the Lavra website.
The Iveron Church was just consecrated by His Eminence Metropolitan Sergei of Ternopil and Kremenets on Sunday, June 9, commencing the 800th-anniversary celebrations.
Photo: pochaev.org.ua
For the feast of the Holy Spirit, Met. Theodore was concelebrated by four other Ukrainian hierarchs, including the abbot of the Lavra, His Eminence Metropolitan Vladimir of Pochaev, the clergy of the skete, including the abbot, Archimandrite Paphnuty (Tselik), and a throng of visiting clergy. Thousands of people also arrived from throughout Ukraine to celebrate the great spiritual feast.
Photo: pochaev.org.ua
During the Small Entrance in the Liturgy, Archimandrite Paphnuty was awarded the right to wear a second jeweled cross. Met. Theodore addressed the people with a homily, and following the service, a procession to the new bell tower and memorial chapel took place, after which they were consecrated.
A procession with the miraculous Pochaev Icon of the Mother of God from the Lavra to the Skete was also held on June 13, led by Met. Sergei of Ternopil, with the participation of thousands of Orthodox faithful and four choirs. A moleben of thanksgiving was served upon arrival at the Skete, and all those present venerated the holy icon and were anointed with holy oil.
***
Photo: pochaev.org.ua
For a history of the Skete, see the Lavra website.
In modern times, the skete has grown into a cenobitic monastery, with more than 70 monks laboring for their salvation there. The skete has an apiary, garden, bakery, and icon and sewing workshops. The skete is also home to the relics of St. Methodius of Pochaev, a miraculous copy of the Pochaev Icon, the myrrh-streaming head of an unknown cave ascetic, the miraculous cross of St. Nikita the Stylite, an icon of St. Seraphim of Sarov painted on a piece of the rock that he prayed on for 1,000 days and nights, and the relics of more than 120 saints, and many other sacred objects from around the world.
Follow us on Facebook!
