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Vitebsk region, Verhnedvinsk District, Sarja , Stroitelnaya street, 5
Sarja, located in Vyerkhnyadzvinsk District, is renowned for unique architectural treasure — the Church of the Holy Assumption. Built between 1851 and 1857 in the retrospective Gothic style, it stands as a historical testament to the cultural and religious history of the region.
About the Church
This magnificent church, originally conceived as a Catholic church, was funded by Drysna Marshal Ignatius Lopatinsky in memory of his early deceased wife, Maria. The landowner was almost sent to Siberia for building a Catholic church, which was not authorised officially.
In 1865, the church was confiscated by the tsarist authorities and rededicated in honor of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary. During the Soviet period, the church was closed and repurposed for various uses, including storage facilities and a club.
In 1989, the church was returned to Catholics, then transferred back to Orthodox ownership in 1990. Since then, regular services have been held there.
Today, the Church of the Holy Assumption belongs to the Orthodox parish of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary and serves as an important cultural and religious center in the region. Restoration works, completed by 2013, restored the church to its original grandeur, and a monument to Saints Peter and Fevronia of Murom was installed nearby. Additionally, every July 8, the Day of Family, Love, and Fidelity is celebrated here.