Lavra (monastery type)

A Lavra is a major Eastern Orthodox monastery that serves as a central religious and administrative hub for the monastic community. Typically large and historically significant, it often houses multiple churches, living quarters, and communal facilities. Lavras are places of spiritual leadership, scholarship, and pilgrimage, combining worship, study, and monastic life. They often have a layered organizational structure, with senior monks or abbots overseeing activities. Originating in Eastern Europe and the Middle East, the term signifies a high-ranking or influential monastery, fostering religious devotion and cultural preservation within Orthodox Christianity.