Great Lent Giveaway 2011Growing a Monastery

Youth Group Session 1 - Pochaiv Monastery

Objective: Provide participants with a first look at an Orthodox Monastery. Byfeaturing the Pochaiv Monastery we will link Orthodoxy monasticism in theUkrainian tradition to our new monastery that will be constructed in Pennsylvania.

Needed Items: Copies of participant sheets, copies of the Akathist to the Mother ofGod of Pochaiv

Begin the session with a fun icebreaker.

In the year 1340, two monks settled on the hill where the Pochaiv Monastery in now situated. Afterprayer, one monk climbed to the top of the hill, where he suddenly he witnessed the Most Holy Birth-giver of God standing upon a rock, surrounded by flames. He called his brother to see this miracle. Athird witness to the apparition was a shepherd, John (Ivan) Bosoy. He ran up the hill, and together thethree glorified God. On the rock upon which the Most Holy Bearer of God had stood remained apermanent imprint of her right foot! Today, this rock is enshrined within the Holy Dormition Church atthe Monastery. The Monastery was built around her footprint. This icon below depicts (shows) this event.

The holy water that trickles from the footprint is flowing clear spring water. It continues to bring healingof body and soul to many pilgrims. The footprint is a reminder to us that our footsteps are guided in thepath of righteousness and salvation through her intercessions.

There is another icon known as the Pochaiv Mother of God. In the year 1559, a Greek Bishop,Metropolitan Neophytus from Constantinope, traveled through the region of Volyn, Ukraine (very nearthe monastery). He blessed a local woman named Anna Hoyska by giving her a gift. The gift was anicon of the Theotokos holding Christ and surrounded by saints in the frame. Soon miracles began takingplace around the icon. She gave this miraculous icon to the monks at the monastery. The holy image wasplaced in the church built in honor of the Dormition of the Holy Birth-giver of God. Today this icon isheld at the high-place in the church. Twice a year, the icon is lowered for the faithful tovenerate.

In the 1700’s, during an attack of the Turks, the monks carried the icon in aprocession around the church. The Mother of God appeared above themain cupola (dome) of the Pochaiv Monastery and sent the cannon-ballshurdling backwards toward those who fired them.

At this point, lead the participants in a discussion using the followingquestions:

1. Had you ever heard about the Pochaiv Monastery beforetoday?

2. What do you find interesting about how the monastery wasstarted? (What came first the monastery or the monks?)

Putting it in perspective….Here is what was going on historically in 1340AD:

King Edward III of England was declared King of France The 100 Years’ War began

The Pochaiv Lavra Monastery has endured much in the last century. Theywere transferred between Poland and Russia. They were persecuted bythe Soviets’ anti-religious regeim and the monastery stripped of much of

its treasures and outreaches to the people. During World War II, the Nazis tookwhat was left of any value at the monastery. However, they could not take the Holy Spirit

and the monastery often provided refuge from Nazi persecution.

In the 1950’s the Soviet government closed one of the church buildings to open a museum of atheism. Glory toGod! The museum was closed in the early 1980’s. Through the 1970’s – 1990’s Pochaiv stood as a firm house ofGod and for Orthodoxy.

In 2002, canonized schema monk Amphilochius (Amfilohiy) of Pochayiv, who fell asleep in the Lord in 1971. Wewill learn more about St. Amfiloliy in our next talk.

The monastery currently consists of: Two Cathedrals (Assumption and Trinity) Two Churches (St. Job and St. Barbara) Two Chapels (1. In Honor of 2000 anniversary of Birth of Christ and 2. In honor of 400th Anniversary of

the transfer of the Pochaiv icon. Pochaevskaya Theological Seminary Summer Altar Belfry A Hospice Five additional buildings (including the monk’s living quarters Caves Church housing the incorrupt relics of St. Job and St.

Amphilochius

A day in the life of a Pochaiv monk –5:00am Midnight office at the Pochaiv Icon6:15am Akathist to the Mother of God at Pochaiv Icon6:15am Early Divine Liturgy8:00am Caves Church to Venerate St. Job and St. Amphilochius9:00am Late Divine Liturgy11:00am Requiem and Moleben11:30am Readings1:00pm First meal of the day1:30-5pm Monks perform their obediances (tasks) for the day5:00pm Evening Service Vespers6:00pm Dinner

Discussion: Ask the participants their thoughts on the recent history of Pochaiv. What do they findinteresting about the history? What is relevant to them concerning the schedule?

This is a good time to discuss that one of the main purposes of a monastery is for the monastics to praywithout ceasing. They not only pray for themselves but for all of us! If you have a monastery in yourarea, discuss with the youth the possibility of planning a visit to the monastery. Review the MonasticismFact Sheet.

Pochaiv MonasteryToday

Learn more about Pochaiv Monastery at their website – www.pochiav.org.ua.

You can visit the Pochaiv Monastery site to download music sung at the monastery. You could play aselection at some point during the day. http://www.pochaev.org.ua/?pid=1421&lang=eng If possible,you can share the website with the participants and view several photos of the monastery.

End the session by praying the Akathist Hymn to the Mother of God of Pochiav.

Follow any final prayers with a Lenten meal. Allow the participants time to “hang-out”.