St. Nicholas Church

The Sviatohirsky Assumption Monastery (Holy Mountains Lavra) was developed along the Seversky Donets River during the 17th through the 19th centuries. The 17th century St. Nicholas Church is the most striking part of the complex. It is the oldest monastery church and its main part is built inside the rock of the chalk hills. Closed in 1922 it was ruined and dilapidated during World War II. The first service was held again in 1996. On May 22, St Nicholas Feast Day, a procession comes singing the Akathist to St. Nicholas from the Assumption Cathedral to the St. Nicholas Church. At 2 pm, every day in the summer, the Akathist prayer to St Nicholas is served.