The Cathedral of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross (Polotsk)

About the Cathedral

The Cathedral of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross is an Orthodox church located in Polotsk within the territory of the Convent of Saint Euphrosyne. This limestone cathedral, crowned with five beautiful domes, is a magnificent creation of architectural art.

The Cathedral of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross was founded on May 23, 1893, by the Right Reverend Antonin (Derzhavin), Bishop of Polotsk and Vitebsk. Built from 1893 to 1897 according to the project and under the guidance of the Vitebsk architect Vladimir Korshikov, with the abbess of the monastery, Hegumeness Yevgenia (Govorovich), and voluntary donations collected over decades, the cathedral is a splendid example of the Russo-Byzantine (a combination of architecture of Kievan Rus’ and Neoclassical architecture in Russia) direction of retrospective Russian style.

This three-naved church is a square with three porches, and the west side is extended further for additional premises. The unique solution of the apse includes an inner passage behind the altar, connecting narrow sacristies, creating an externally unified whole. The cathedral's architecture reflects the traditions of Byzantine architecture of the 13th-14th centuries: semi-circular apses, paired windows, Byzantine columns, and imitation of ashlar blocks on the walls.

Inside the cathedral, you can see not only magnificent decorative elements but also sacred icons ("Ephesus" (16th century) and "Krasnostokskaya" (19th century)) and particles of the relics of the saints: Sergius of Radonezh and Seraphim of Sarov; Nicholas the Wonderworker, Philaret of Moscow, and Theophan the Recluse; Martyr Constantine, Priest of Shcharkovshchinsk, and others. In addition, two reliquaries and a crucifix with a particle of the Life-Giving Cross of the Lord are installed in the cathedral.

Daily services and supplications are performed here, as well as worship services on Sundays and holidays.