In the heart of Eastern Europe, where history and faith intertwine, stands Glinskaya Pustyn, a monastery that defied oppression, war, and political persecution to remain a beacon of Orthodox spirituality. It was the only monastery reopened during the Great Patriotic War and continued its mission for two decades under Soviet rule, serving as a testament to the resilience of monastic life.

Founded in the 16th century, Glinskaya Pustyn originally belonged to the Russian Kursk province. Until its closure by the Bolsheviks in 1922, it thrived as a center of spiritual asceticism. At its peak, it housed around 700 monks and novices, not defined by their numbers but by the unwavering spirit of devotion they embodied.

Despite its closure, faith could not be extinguished. The words of the Gospel ring true: "The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear its sound, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes" (John 3:8). The spirit of the monastery persisted even in exile, as documented by the dedicated historian and monk, Schema-Archimandrite Ioann (Maslov), who painstakingly reconstructed its history and preserved the legacy of its spiritual warriors.

By the 1940s, the land where the monastery once stood had been repurposed for Soviet agricultural and industrial use. However, as soon as it became possible—during the German occupation of Sumy in 1941—monks who had been dispersed returned. The Nazi authorities, hoping to use religion for propaganda, allowed churches to reopen, unintentionally sparking a resurgence of faith. By 1944, at least 20 monks had returned to Glinskaya Pustyn, despite many still being held in Soviet labor camps.

Archimandrite Nektary (Nuzhdin), the former abbot who had lived in seclusion in Putivl, reestablished monastic life not by rebuilding walls but by restoring the soul of the brotherhood. When the monastery was reopened in 1942, only a few structures remained: a hospital, the Cross-Exaltation House Church, and some dilapidated living quarters occupied by collective farm workers. Yet, in these ruins, prayer was rekindled, marking the rebirth of the Holy Rus’ in its monastic form.

The daily life of the monks was one of extreme austerity. Food was scarce—often limited to boiled beets. Flour for the Eucharist was nearly unattainable, and monks conducted services in traditional bast shoes due to a lack of proper footwear. Yet, none of this discouraged them. Under Father Nektary’s leadership, the monastery’s focus was the revival of the spiritual traditions of elderhood (starchestvo), following the Athonite model.

Notably, one of Nektary’s closest associates, Hieroschemamonk Nikodim (Kaliush), was blind yet possessed an uncanny awareness of his surroundings. His unwavering joy and strict adherence to monastic discipline inspired many. Another key figure, Schema-Igumen Antony (Veter), instilled in the brethren the importance of revealing one’s thoughts to a spiritual elder, warning that unchecked passions would torment the soul even beyond death.

Even after the war, the monastery operated under relentless Soviet scrutiny. The state levied heavy taxes, including contributions to mandatory government loans and even enforced lottery ticket purchases. Despite having only five hectares of marshland for farming, the monastery miraculously survived, thanks to donations from the faithful.

Between 1943 and 1945, Glinskaya Pustyn contributed over 170,000 rubles to the state and donated large quantities of grain and cloth to support widows and orphans. The monks even assisted in harvesting crops for a neighboring collective farm without any acknowledgment or reward.

By 1952, the monastery housed 60 monks and novices, surviving with minimal possessions. Only seven priestly vestments, three sticharia, and a handful of icons remained. The brotherhood subsisted on a single communal meal per day, often without meat, fish, or even milk from the monastery’s own cows, which was confiscated by the state. Yet, faith sustained them.

In 1994, after decades of forced closure, Glinskaya Pustyn was revived under the jurisdiction of the canonical Ukrainian Orthodox Church. However, its trials were not over. Located near the modern border of Ukraine and Russia, the monastery suffered damage from shelling on December 5, 2022. Access for Russian pilgrims has become nearly impossible due to the ongoing conflict.

Yet, as history has shown, the Spirit moves where it wills. The voices of the faithful endure, and the legacy of Glinskaya Pustyn remains a testament to the power of devotion against all odds.

Even in the face of war, the prayers of the monks continue, whispering the same unwavering truth: God is with us.