V I N N I T S Y A
Vinnitsya Capuchin monastery is located in Podillya, in the present-day regional center. The monastery was founded as long ago as at the time of Polish Empire. The traditional capuchin monastery was built in the style of Tuscan Barokko. During the history it hosted theological school and Curia of the Russian Capuchin Province. Russian czar authorities closed the monastery in the year 1888.
Some dates:
1744. Lyudvik Kalinovski, the steward and colonel of Vinnitsya and his wife Elisabeth propose Capuchins to establish a monastery in Vinnitsya. For this purpose Kalinovski intends the funds he got from the lawsuit against earl Pototski, and a part of his and his wife's mutual property.
1745. Capuchins obtain permission of bishop of Lutsk to settle in Vinnitsya. On September 14 the delegate of bishop Adam Pavlovski erected a cross on the construction site and consecrated the corner stone.
1746. First friars, who temporarily tarried in the castle of the founder, came to Vinnitsya.
1748. The monks etablished their residence in temporary chapel.
1761. February 17. Bishop Anthony Erasmus Vollovych consecrated the temple under patronage of Angelic Mother of God. After Dominican and Jesuit, it was the third temple in Vinnitsya. At that time the parish temple was Dominican, whereas Capuchins conducted their work of apostleship among poor populace.
1778-1786. After the fire in the Jesuit temple parish was moved to capuchins and during eight years the friars ministered to Vinnitsya parish. Later on, the temple affiliated to the Dominican monastery became parish.
1832. After the czar authorities closed Dominican temple and the monastery, the parish was again transferred to capuchins. Thus at that time only one monastery in Vinnitsya remained active – the Capuchins'.
1888. According to the czar decree capuchins must leave their last monastery in Poland. Friars go Poland to seek refuge. Some of them change into priest cassocks and minister in Rome-Catholic parishes. The Vinnitsya Capuchin monastery is turned to quarters for the czar army. The temple was preserved, however only diocesan priests could minister there.
1961. Secular people have lived in Vinnitsya capuchin monastery for a long time.
1992. A miracle happened. After almost one hundred year of absence in Vinnitsya Capuchins return. Again people of Vinnitsya can hear the Word of God, can have hope and receive spiritual help from simple, close to God Friars. For the lack of space the monks at first dwelt over the church building.
2001-2002. With the assistance of Order of Friars Minor Capuchin and the great support of parishioners were redeemed the first cells in Vinnitsya capuchin monastery, which significantly improved the functioning of the growing in number parish. On the first floor of the monastery from Sobornaya street got accommodated office, library, conversation room and two catechism classes. Subsequently were redeemed the cells on the second floor of one of the aisles of the monastery and the rooms that had been used as monastery kitchen and refectory.
2003. The regional state administration assisted in restoration of the facade of the monastery.
Today in Vinnitsya work:
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