About This Site

Univ Lavra is the only Lavra of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church, founded around 1400. The Studite monastery houses about 70 monks and serves as a center of spiritual life and pilgrimage.

The Univ Holy Dormition Lavra of the Studite Rite is a male stavropegial monastery under the Head of the UGCC. It is the only Lavra of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church, located in the village of Univ in Lviv Oblast. The monastery is governed by the Code of Canons of the Eastern Churches and the monastic "Typikon" compiled by Metropolitan Andrey (1865-1944) and Blessed Archimandrite Klymentiy (1869-1951) Sheptytsky based on the statutes of the Studite tradition and other ancient monastic rules. Univ Lavra has about 70 monks living in the Lavra and in its seven daughter monasteries, serving God and the Church through their ascetic life of prayer and fasting, cultivating the liturgical and spiritual tradition of the Christian East. The Studite monasteries also engage in pastoral activities and receive pilgrims. Monks live according to the principles of consecrated life, renouncing the world and dedicating themselves to serving God. They take monastic vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience, devoting their lives to prayer, work, and spiritual growth.

Historical Significance

The original Orthodox monastery was founded ca. 1400 by Theodore, the son of Prince Liubartas. Parts of the 15th century walls survive. The abbey was surrounded by a high rampart and a deep moat. The main church is dedicated to the Assumption of Mary. It was built after a Tatar raid in 1548 and looks like a small fortress. A two-storey bell tower from the 1630s stands nearby. In the 18th century, Univ housed a printing house. The monastery was disbanded in 1790. Mykhajlo Levitsky transformed the property into his residence. The moat was filled in and parts of the medieval wall were demolished. Levitsky's summer palace dates from the 1820s. The Lavra was re-established in 1904 on the basis of the Krystinopil Basilian Monastery by Metropolitan Andrey Sheptytsky. During Soviet times, the monastery suffered persecution but was revived after Ukraine gained independence.

Highlights

• ✓Only Lavra of UGCC
• ✓Studite monasticism
• ✓Church of Assumption of Mary (1548)
• ✓17th century bell tower
• ✓Miraculous water stream
• ✓Museum of Ukrainian Christianity history
• ✓Active monastic community of 70 monks

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