Ukrainian Lavras

The biggest men monasteries, which have great impact on the lives of the countries where they are, called Lavras. The word is of Greek origin, and the first Lavra appeared in the 4th century in Palestine.

In Europe, the statuses of Lavra have 6 monasteries, 3 of which are located in Ukraine:

Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra, founded as the cave monastery in 1051. Lavra is located in Kyiv.

Pochayiv Lavra, which mentioned in documents in 1527. Lavra is located in Pochayiv in the Ternopil region.

Holy Assumption Sviatohirsk Lavra, which is mentioned in documents in 1526. Lavra is located in Svyatogorsk in the Donetsk region.

Although the monasteries are mentioned in documents in the 16th century, according to chronicles, the monasteries in these lands existed in times of Kyiv Rus.

Each Lavra occupies a large area, and Lavras consist of several religious buildings. For centuries Lavras were the centers of Christianity in the regions.