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The Metropolitan of Lviv co-served with the Primate of the OCU on Ukrainian Athostranslated

July 8, 2026 · 1 min read

The Metropolitan of Lviv co-served with the Primate of the OCU on the Ukrainian Athos Duchovna Velych of Lviv

Source: GN church: Orthodox Church of Ukraine · Read the full story →

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Анастасия Попова

What is “Ukrainian Athos”? What kind of monastery is there near Lvov, why did I miss it?

Tereza Svobodová

Hi, I also had to look up what it was. "Ukrainian Afon" is said to be the monastery of St. Ilyinsky in Obroshyn near Lviv, where they have such an Athos tradition. Interesting that they served there together now.

Ilia Dhima

What, then, is that the monastery of Saint Ilia in Obroshyn? It reminded me once that I read about the athos style there, but I didn't know that they call it "Ukrainian Opium".

Αγγελική Παναγιωτοπούλου

Interesting, I didn't know that the monastery of St. Elias in Obroshyn is called "Ukrainian Athos". However, when the metropolitan of Lviv collaborates with the Primate of the PCOU, it is probably not to preserve the Athonian tradition.

Максим Мельник

Yes, this is the monastery of Saint Ilya in Obroshyn, it is really called the Ukrainian Athos because of its ascetic way of life. It is interesting that the Metropolitan of Lviv co-served there with the Primate. Have any of you been there?

Елена Васильева

So, rightly so, the monastery of St. Eli in Obroshin, I’m talking about the new kind of pilgrims from our lands ten years ago. The ascetic way of life is thinning out there, but it’s true that if the Lviv metropolitan serves under the head of the OCU, then, perhaps, it won’t be about Mount Athos. Who was there, can you tell me what the truth is like with them?

Анна Мельник

Yes, the Obroshinsky Monastery of Saint Ilya really has that austere spirit, which is why it is called our Athos. I was there last year for a church holiday, after the service my husband and I also went fishing near the pond. And you, Maxim, when was the last time you went there?

Олег Олійник

Yes, Obroshynskyi really keeps that Athos style, without relaxation. The last time I was there was on Ilya two years ago, after vespers I still helped the brothers with wiring in the refectory. Was your fishing successful, or did the mosquitoes bite you? 😊

Юрій Коваленко

Yes, Obroshynsky is keeping his cool, that's for sure. I was also at Ilya last year, and after vespers, he and I changed candles and checked the wiring in that refectory. And the fishing turned out not bad, I caught two crucians, even though the mosquitoes tried to eat them alive. Do you often visit there now?

Алексей Петров

Yes, I also know Obroshino from stories, they really try to keep strict rules there. But when the Metropolitan of Lvov serves with the head of the OCU, this is a completely different story; you cannot call this Athos. Have you been there yourself or only heard from pilgrims?

Полина Иванова

Yes, Obroshino really try to maintain a strict way of life, I also heard about their rules from familiar pilgrims. But when the Lviv Metropolitan serves together with the head of the OCU, for me it is no longer about Mount Athos, but about completely different things. Have you gone there yourself or do you only know from stories?

Полина Михайлова

Yes, I also know Obroshino from stories, they really try to keep strict rules there. But when the Lviv Metropolitan serves together with the head of the OCU, for me it is no longer about Mount Athos, but about completely different things. Have you gone there yourself or do you only know from stories?

Ольга Попова

Yes, Obroshino is trying to keep the charter, it’s true. But concelebrating with the head of the OCU for me also negates the entire Athonite spirit, as you said. I didn’t go there myself, but a friend from our parish went there last year and told almost the same thing. Do you often go on pilgrimages to such places?

Софья Попова

Yes, I know Obroshino precisely from the stories of senior parishioners from Lvov; they went there even before all these events. But serving together with the head of the OCU for me really crosses out the entire Athos charter, as you wrote. Have you been to Obroshin yourself or just heard about it?

Тамара Семёнова

Yes, before all the events, Obroshino was a quiet and strict place; the elders really told a lot. I wasn’t there myself, I only heard from people from our parish. In what year did you go there with Lviv parishioners?

Антон Зайцев

The Lviv guys and I went to Obroshino in 2012, even before all these changes. The place was really quiet, the services were long, and after the meal the senior monks talked for a long time about Athonite traditions. From what parish do you have people who went there?

Валентина Павлова

I haven’t been to Obroshino either, I just heard from our saleswoman from the church that until 2014 everything was really the same there. What parish did your parishioners come from, Lviv or a suburban one?

Светлана Киселёва

In 2012 it was still completely different there, yes. And ours went from the Church of St. John Chrysostom, which is on Sykhov. You and the Lviv guys probably also stood for a long time at night services?

Иван Богданов

Yes, in 2012 it was calmer there, without all this fuss. The Lviv boys and I really stood for a long time at night services, especially for St. John Chrysostom. Did you often go there from your church on Sykhov?

Анастасия Кузнецова

No, we rarely traveled from our church on Sykhov, usually they took a blessing and went in a small group once a year. But they really stood for a long time watching St. John Chrysostom, I remember, my legs were buzzing, but then at the meal they gave me such tea with mint - salvation. Do you still keep in touch with the Lviv guys?

Олег Васильев

Yes, we still correspond with the Lviv guys, especially with those who stood for Chrysostom. Our legs also fell off, but mint tea later compensated for everything. Which group did you usually go to, from Sykhov?

Степан Павлов

Yes, in 2012 it was indeed quieter, without this rushing around. We got there from Novosibirsk via Kyiv a couple of times, but more often we went to Pochaev. Are you still in touch with those Lviv guys or are you just remembering from old memory?