The Cathedral of Holy Protection of the Virgin

History

Built in 1821, the Cathedral underwent reconstruction starting in 1858, completing in 1865. Although the architectural structure remained largely unchanged, a depiction of the Intercession of the Theotokos was added at the entrance. By 1913, in celebration of the 300th anniversary of the House of Romanov, the Cathedral underwent a second reconstruction, with the addition of a third dome over its central part, the construction of towers, and the replacement of the triangular pediment with a rounded, arch-shaped one.

Closed in the 1930s, the Cathedral reopened during the Great Patriotic War (the Eastern Front of World War II), housing a revered shrine — the relics of Euphrosyne of Polotsk, the Abbess. 

The decision to restore the Cathedral was made in 1986, and on the feast of the Intercession of the Theotokos on October 14, 1990, the first divine service was held here. The Cathedral is a monument of Classicism. 

The Cathedral of Holy Protection of the Virgin Today

The restoration of the Cathedral was completed in July 1992, during the celebration of the 1000th anniversary of Orthodoxy in Belarus. After the completion of the restoration, the Cathedral was consecrated by the ruling hierarch. The iconostasis of the Cathedral was painted by Moscow iconographer Vladimir Alexandrovich Sidelnikov, a member of the Russian Union of Artists.

As part of the Trinitarians Monastery, the Cathedral building is the Culturalheritage of Belarus. This well-deserved recognition confirms its significance as a historical and cultural heritage of the region, attracting the attention of both researchers and admirers of architectural heritage.