Pochaiiv is a small Ukrainian town famous in every corner of the world. It had received recognition through the important role played in the spiritual life of Christians. Its history roots started from the far past. It is surrounded by legends, because no evidence of Pochaiiv as a city, except for myths, hypotheses, assumptions, contradictory versions have not been known to us.
Available history begins with the 50's of the XV-th century. And grounded is the claim that its roots reach into the depths of centuries, which spark life in this area, started much earlier than the fact of written sources confirms. Researchers disagree on the origin of its name. According to one version, it is called on behalf of the tributaries of the Dnieper Pochayny in which Volodymyr the Great baptized Kyiv and Rus and others tend to believe that "Pochaiiv" is as transformed word from the colloquial "Start Virgin makes miracles”. “Pocha Diva”.
The history of the town is related directly to the history of Pochaiiv Holy Assumption Monastery - the monastery, which has its calendar of first half of XIII century. In 1883 it received the status of Lavra and was placed on its value in line with the Kiev-Pechersk Lavra.
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The first monks, escaping from the Tatar Mongols, according to the legend, saw Virgin over Pochaiiv Mount in a “fire” column. Impressed by vision, they built church in honor of the Assumption at the foot of the mountain. In one of the rocks even her imprint foot was left and a spring with healing water broke out of the ground. This is one of the largest shrines, which gathers numerous believers to Lavra.
Many miracles are connected with Pochaiiv Lavra. By tradition, Virgin Mary defended the monastery from troops of the Turkish Sultan Muhammad appearing in front of invaders. The main decoration of the Monastery - Cathedral of the Mother of God, built at the expense of Count Mykola Pototskyy in 1780. There, the famous Pochaiiv icon of Mother of God remains. Forgotten crutches by healed pilgrims confirm her miraculous image.
From ancient times entrepreneurship has been developing in Pochaiiv... At the walls of the monastery there was a large shopping center. At Assumption people came here for the great fairs. From then the first office buildings appeared Pochaiiv gets a status of town with all the rights (based on Magdeburg law) in 1787.
The composer Franz Liszt and the writer Honore de Balzac visited Pochaiiv once; the monastery was under the care of Russian czars and the Ukrainian hetman. By the way, the monastery still observes strict rules: women can not enter into its territory with uncovered head and wearing pants. So at the entrance long skirt is given to every fashion lady.
The main place where pilgrims go to get holy water - the source of St. Ann. Water temperature in the small lake 5-7 degrees Celsius is all year-round. At any weather prayers bathe here . According to legend, if a person plunges three times in water, the whole year will be healthy, and St.Anna helps women to become pregnant. The secret of healing water is of a high silicon content, which purifies water.
Next to the reserve “Medobory” there is a mountain of God with the source of holy water that tourists like to get back home. On the way to the holy place ribbons are tied on trees for decades: they say, wishes come true….
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Program: Sviato-Uspensk and Pochaiiv Lavra, acting monastery, Uspensk and Troiitsk Cathedrals , relics of St. Iowa and Amphilohiy, miraculous icon, imprint of foot of God Mother , Lake of St.Ann
Departure: 4:00
Arrival: 19:00
Distance: 240 km.
Price: 120 uah.
Consultations, verify pricing and booking rooms:
Tel.: +38 (0324) 41-79-90
Fax: +38 (0324) 45-00-01
Mob.: +38 (097) 90-41-018
Mob.: +38 (067) 31-33-488