Chumalevo, Zakarpattia Province, Ukraine, August 4, 2025
Photo: uoc-news.church
The Ascension Convent of the canonical Ukrainian Orthodox Church in the village of Chumalevo, Zakarpattia Province, celebrated its 100th anniversary over the weekend, on the feast of the Prophet Elijah.
The All-Night Vigil was celebrated on Friday evening, August 1, by His Grace Bishop of Rakhov, vicar of the local Khust Diocese, and His Eminence Metropolitan Anthony of Brovary, the Chancellor of the UOC, the Khust Diocese reports.
On Saturday morning, August 2, the Divine Liturgy was led by His Eminence Metropolitan Mark of Khust, Met. Anthony, and His Grace Bishop Philaret of Baryshevka.
Photo: uoc-news.church
“The festive service gathered numerous clergy, monastics, and faithful who came to share in the joy of the spiritual event and jubilee celebration.”
During the service, prayers were offered for peace in Ukraine, for the sisterhood of the monastery, and for all who have supported the monastery, which, according to the celebrating hierarchs, has been a spiritual center for Transcarpathia over the years.
The persecuted Holy Dormition-Elets Monastery celebrated its 965th anniversary last month.
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Photo: uoc-news.church
In the 1920s-1930s, Orthodoxy was being revived in Transcarpathia, with new parishes and monasteries opening. The Holy Ascension Convent was founded through the work of the pious Nun Maria (Rybar) with the participation of her brothers Monk Hilarion and layman Vasily, as well as several monastic and lay priests.
The monastery was built with voluntary donations from clergy and laypeople. In 1925, the first building for nuns was constructed. Maria (Rybar) settled there with several novices. At the time, the monastery was on the territory of the Czechoslovak Republic.
In 1933, Maria (Rybar) was tonsured as a riassaphore nun, and in 1938 was tonsured into the mantle in honor of St. Mary Magdalene. In the same year, she was elevated to the rank of abbess and governed the monastery until 1968, then retired due to illness. Before her death, Abbess Maria took the schema.
In 1969, Mother Evgenia (Farkovets), superior of the Skete of St. John the Theologian, was elevated to the rank of abbess.
The monastery has venerated copies of the Iveron, Sweet Kissing, and Quick to Hear Icons of the Mother of God, and portions of the relics of St. Alexei of Carpathia.
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