In the Odessa Holy Archangel Michael nunnery of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church a monastic tonsure into the great schema was performed

A significant spiritual event took place in Odessa: three nuns of the St. Archangel Michael’s Monastery took the great schema, the highest degree of Orthodox monasticism. The rite of tonsure with the blessing of Metropolitan Agafangel of Odessa and Izmail was performed by the clergyman of the monastery, Archbishop Victor of Artsyzsk.

According to the press service of the Odessa diocese of the UOC, the solemn service was held in the evening of April 4, 2026. During the ceremony, three nuns of the monastery received new names in honor of the patron saints. Nun Euphrosyne at her tonsure was named Varvara in honor of the Great Martyr Barbara, nun Marfa took the name Margarita in honor of the Great Martyr Margaret of Antioch, and nun Irina became Filaretta in honor of the Righteous Philaret the Merciful.

Due to her health condition, one of the nuns was unable to attend the general service in the church. For this reason, Archbishop Victor performed the rite of tonsure over the nun Euphrosyne (in the schema Barbara) directly in her cell. This event emphasizes the continuity of monastic traditions and the special spiritual significance of St. Archangel Michael’s Monastery for the Odessa region.