The monastery survived occupation and shelling. The refectory roof, the hostel windows and the water system did not. This is the third winter we are putting them back.

Sviatohirsk Lavra sits on the chalk banks of the Seversky Donets. It was shelled repeatedly in 2022, occupied, and shelled again when the line moved. The cave churches held. The refectory, the pilgrim hostel and the pumping station took the damage.

The monastery fed between 800 and 1,500 people a day through the worst months of 2022. The kitchen still works out of a temporary structure. Restoring the refectory is not cosmetic: it is the return of the only large indoor kitchen for twelve kilometres.

Our scope is the roof, 62 windows, the water system and the hostel’s heating loop — built to be repairable, with local crews and a parts schedule the monastery can maintain itself.

Scope of works

• Refectory roof and ceiling insulation
• 62 windows with blast film and shutters
• Water pumping and filtration station
• Hostel heating loop and radiator replacement

No original drawing survives for this building. A measured survey is commissioned before works start; drawings are released after the heritage authority signs them off. See the drawings archive.

Timeline

1. Mar 2022

   Monastery shelled; civilian shelter opened.

2. Sep 2022

   Occupation ends; damage survey completed.

3. Jun 2026

   Refectory roof works start with local crews.

4. Dec 2026

   Target: kitchen returned to service before winter.

Accountability

Damage

Shelling 2022–2023, partial occupation

Founded

16th century; cave monastery

Displaced

More than 1,000 people fed daily in 2022

Scope

Refectory roof, 62 windows, water and heating

The condition survey, procurement record and completion certificates are available on request. Write to hello@svitlo.fund.