About This Site

Pochaiv Lavra is one of Ukraine's oldest and most revered Orthodox monasteries, located atop a 60-meter hill in Pochaiv. Founded in the 13th century, the Lavra is famous for its miraculous icon of the Theotokos of Pochaiv and healing spring.

The Holy Dormition Pochaiv Lavra is Ukraine's second most important Orthodox shrine after the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra. The monastery sits atop a 60-meter hill in Pochaiv, giving it commanding views and defensive significance. According to local tradition, the first Christian hermits inhabited the hills near the river even before the Christianization of Kievan Rus'. Official foundation dates to 1240, when monks Ionikiy and Pachomius from the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra, fleeing the Mongol invasion, found a healing spring near the present monastery on the Blessed Stone. In 1597, noblewoman Anna Hojska donated to the monastery a miraculous icon of the Theotokos of Pochaiv, which became the main shrine. This icon, by tradition, healed Hojska's brother from blindness. In 1675, the monastery withstood a siege by the Turkish army. According to legend, the Theotokos appeared over the monastery with angels and St. Job, causing the Turks to retreat. Throughout history, the monastery alternated between Orthodoxy and Greek Catholicism. From 1720 to 1831 it belonged to the Basilian monks of the Greek Catholic Church, after which it returned to Orthodoxy. In 1833, it was granted Lavra status. Today, Pochaiv Lavra is an active men's monastery with over 100 monks. The architectural ensemble includes the Dormition Cathedral (1771–1783), Trinity Cathedral (1906–1912), bell tower, and numerous cells and buildings.

Historical Significance

The first written mention of the monastery dates to 1527. In 1597, Anna Hojska donated lands and a miraculous icon to the monastery. In 1604, Ivan Zalizo (future St. Job of Pochaiv) joined the community and established a printing press in 1630. During Polish rule in the 17th century, the monastery flourished, but in 1672 it was attacked by Turks. By miracle, the Turks retreated after an apparition of the Theotokos. In 1720, the monastery passed to Greek Catholics, and in 1831 returned to the Russian Orthodox Church. In 1833, it received Lavra status. Throughout the 20th century, the monastery survived both World Wars, Soviet persecution, and jurisdictional changes. In 2023, the Supreme Court of Ukraine transferred spiritual control of the monastery to the Orthodox Church of Ukraine.

Highlights

• ✓Miraculous icon of Theotokos of Pochaiv
• ✓Relics of St. Job of Pochaiv
• ✓Blessed Stone with healing spring
• ✓Dormition Cathedral (18th century)
• ✓Trinity Cathedral (20th century)
• ✓17th-century printing house (historical)
• ✓Pilgrims' hotel

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