First Divine Liturgy Celebrated in Vyksa Cathedral After More Than 100 Years

VYKSA, RUSSIA — The first Divine Liturgy in more than a century was celebrated on July 14 in the Trinity Cathedral of the Vyksa Iversky Convent, marking a major milestone in the restoration of the historic monastery church that was closed after the Soviet authorities shut down the convent in 1923.

The service was led by Metr. Georgy of Nizhny Novgorod and Arzamas, who was joined by Bp. Gideon of Vyksa and Pavlovo, Bp. Paramon of Gorodets and Vetluzha, Bp. Josiah of Lyskovo and Lukoyanovo, and other clergy. Among those praying at the liturgy were Abbess Alexandra (Sitnikova), sisters of the monastery, representatives of other convents, and local faithful.

At the conclusion of the service, Bp. Gideon expressed gratitude for the cathedral’s revival and emphasized the spiritual significance of the occasion. “We have gathered here to pray to the Lord in this Trinity Cathedral, which is recovering—healing its wounds. Just a year or two ago, this seemed impossible, but what is impossible with man is possible with God (Luke 18:27),” he said.

Four generations of people have been unable to pray here: the Divine Liturgy has not been celebrated for over 100 years. It seems that today the angel standing at this altar rejoiced with all the heavenly powers that we have finally glorified the Lord here.

The restoration of Trinity Cathedral has been underway for years after the building suffered severe damage during the Soviet period. The cathedral’s last Divine Liturgy before its closure was celebrated at Pascha in 1923. The monastery itself was reopened in 1996, and restoration efforts have gradually returned the historic complex to religious use.

Metr. Georgy thanked all those involved in the restoration, calling the cathedral a spiritual treasure of the Vyksa region and encouraging continued efforts to complete its renewal.

Previously, the UOJ reported that the St. John the Wonderworker Mission held its first Divine Liturgy.