The Svyatogorsk Monastery
Ten years ago the Diocese of Gorlovskij revived this Ukrainian Orthodox Church Monastery. But the history of this ancient monastery goes back centuries.
The legend written in the 19th century connects Svyatogorsk with the Kiev-Pechersk Monastery, saying that after the ruin of The Pechersk Kyiv Monastery part of the fraternity left for the Svyatorgorsk Monastery.
The place underwent repeated raids and the devastation of the Crimean Tatars in the 17th century.
Despite the harsh living conditions, the desolated Monastery was a stronghold of adherents of Orthodoxy and it was supported by many immigrants around the Dnieper River, who fled the oppression of Catholics in order to preserve the purity of Orthodox faith.
During the reign of Catherine II the Svyatogorsk monastery was abolished, but even the abolition of the deserted monastery could not keep the people away from this place. The zeal of ordinary villagers to the deserted Svyatogorsk monastery became a major factor for its renewal. The heyday of the monastery is connected with its resumption in 1844. The first inhabitants of the Svyatogorsk monastery were children of a famous man named Filaret (Danilevskii). For 70 years - from 1844 to 1914, the monastery was resumed thanks to the work of the abbot and monks, it became one of the largest monasteries in the Russian Empire, therefore, this fact repeatedly raised the issue of assigning Svyatogorsk monastery status of Lavra. However, the sad events of Russian history prevented this to materialise. Since 1917, the monastery repeatedly underwent degradation, defilement and desecration and monks were beaten and killed. In 1922 the monastery was closed. It was changed to a holiday home.
In 1992 the Svyatogorsk monastery opened again. At present, the Church of the Monastery is the largest spiritual centre in the Gorlovski Diocese. The monastery is known far beyond the borders of the Donetsk region - during the holidays the Svyatogorsk monastery gathers 10-12 thousand pilgrims from Ukraine, Russia and Belarus.
December 29, 2003 the final transfer of the buildings and lands that have historically belonged to the monastery was taken place. Currently the number of the monks is more than 100, and it increases every year. In the monastery area you can find the restored and earlier secluded monasteries dedicated to All Saints, and to the Saints Anthony and Feodosiya Perchevski. The belfry has a collection of 54 bells. The largest weighs more than 6 tons. The Svyatogorsk monastery also has a wonderful fraternal chorus.
The revival of this holy monastery area has continued to this day.
