Five nuns tonsured at Biliv convent
Archbishop Pimen with the newly tonsured nuns. Photo: Press service of the Rivne Eparchy
On April 13, 2025, the Feast of the Entry of the Lord into Jerusalem, a special event took place at the Nativity of the Theotokos Women’s Monastery in the village of Biliv – the monastic tonsure of five sisters of the community. This was reported by the press service of the Rivne Eparchy of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church.
The rite was performed by Archbishop Pimen of Rivne and Ostroh. During the service, with special prayers and chanting, holding candles and dressed in garments symbolizing the renunciation of the world, the nuns made their vows before God and the Church, fully dedicating themselves to a life of service to the Lord.
At tonsure, the sisters received new names: Sister Zosima became Zinaida, Sister Makaria – Marionila, Sister Nonna – Nymphodora, Sister Lukia – Platonida, and Sister Glafira – Agrippina.
In his homily, Archbishop Pimen said: “Monasticism is not an escape from the world, but a deep entry into the struggle for the salvation of the soul. It is a path of love, obedience, and ceaseless prayer that leads to union with Christ. Today the sisters have made their choice – they follow Christ in the silence of monastic labor, and we pray that the Lord will strengthen them in this holy service.”
Earlier, the UOJ analyzed why the number of monastics in the UOC continues to grow amid persecution.
Read also
Lavra reserve head estimates damage to Dormition Cathedral at €15 million
Maksym Ostapenko said restoring the Dormition Cathedral would take at least a couple of years and require major funding.
DESS official says state should not govern the Church
A DESS official called for cooperation between the state and the Church for the benefit of citizens.
Poltava court upholds mobilization of Protestant pastor
A court in the Poltava region ruled that a prior criminal conviction and religious beliefs do not exempt a person from military service.
Ostapenko: Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra would not exist without Soviet-era reserve
The reserve director spoke about the Soviet museum’s role in saving the monastery, while stressing the need to rethink its history.
Metropolitan Anthony criticizes DESS order on Boryspil Eparchy
The UOC chancellor rejected officials’ findings, pointing to procedural violations in the DESS review.
Two more parishes in Sloviansk reregistered under OCU
The organizer behind the transfer of UOC communities in Sloviansk said the reregistration of churches would continue.