Date :
Friday, May 31, 2024
The Holy Dormition Zhirovichi Stauropigial Monastery is the winner of the 21st National tourist contest "Know Belarus-2023". Nomination: "Religious Tourism Facility of the Year"
Holy Dormition Zhirovichi Monastery is a unique Orthodox spiritual center of Belarus, a place of attraction for pilgrims from all over the world. This is one of the most famous religious and historical places in Belarus. For centuries, it has attracted believers and those interested in the history and architecture of our country. And it is not for nothing that it is called a place of faith and strength, because not only the history of its origin is remarkable, but also the shrines associated with it.
What does history say?
The history of Zhirovichi monastery started in 1470, when the image of the Mother of God appeared to little shepherds in the branches of a wild pear tree. Perceiving this as a sign from above, the local residents built a wooden temple in honor of the icon at this place by order of the treasurer Alexander Soltan. Very quickly, the fame of this unique place spread around the neighborhood. Pilgrims began to come here, and towards the middle of the 16th century, an Orthodox men's monastery was formed here in honor of the Assumption of the Mother of God. However, this was preceded by tragic events.
In 1520, a fire occurred. The building burned down, and a new stone church and an Orthodox monastery were soon founded in its place. This happened after the icon, which was lost during the fire, appeared to the residents on a stone near the ashtray safe and unharmed.
With the adoption of Brest Union in 1596, the monastery became the center of the Uniate religion for two centuries. Ordinary people, wealthy magnates and even kings of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth made pilgrimages here. History shows that the number of pilgrims sometimes reached 30 thousand. In 1839, the Holy Dormition Monastery returned to the Orthodox Church.
During the Second World War, German military units and ammunition depots were located on the monastery territory. After the occupiers left, part of the buildings became an agricultural technical school, and theological courses were founded at the monastery, which later grew into Minsk Theological Seminary.
In 2020, the shrine celebrated its 500th anniversary. Today, it is the largest monastery complex in Belarus, a pearl of architecture and a center of spiritual revival.
Do you know that...
The Holy Mother of Zhirovichi became the first icon on the territory of modern Belarus to be covered with papal crowns made in Rome. The consecration took place in 1730 under the leadership of Pope Benedict XIII and financed by the Radziwills.
The greatest shrine of Belarus is kept in the monastery - the miraculous icon of the Mother of God of Zhirovichi. This oval jasper plate of very small size (5.6 cm x 4.4 cm) with a relief image of the Virgin Mary and the baby Jesus is in the list of the 100 most significant Orthodox icons of the world. Miraculous properties are attributed to this image, many pilgrims flock to heal the body and soul.
Every year on May 20, the Day of the Appearance of Zhirovichi Icon of the Mother of God is celebrated. Every year, many pilgrims from all over the world gather in the monastery for a big festivity.
The largest bell in Belarus, weighing 14 tons, is installed in Zhirovichi tenement. Its consecration and hoisting ceremony took place in 2022.
The famous Zhirovichi Irmologion became the first singing monument of the 17th century, which included a large collection of canticles (tunes, dogmatics, verses, refrains, ternaries).
At the end of the 17th century, the monastery housed an 80-register organ, which was considered the largest in Belarus at that time.
Architecture of the monastery complex
The Holy Dormition Zhirovichi Stauropigial Monastery includes a house for pilgrims, a fraternal building, a bell tower with a chapel, Minsk Theological Seminary, an ecclesiastical-archaeological museum and 5 activing temples:
- The Holy Dormition Cathedral: a magnificent structure, in the architecture of which features of Baroque, Classicism and Rococo can be seen there;
- St. Nicholas Church: a small stone temple, where the famous shrine is located - the miraculous icon of the Mother of God;
- The Epiphany Church: here is an ancient stone on which, according to legend, the image of the Mother of God appeared for the second time;
- The Church of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross: a monument of late Baroque architecture with elements of Classicism;
- St. George's Church: a monument of wooden architecture.
- Theological seminary: a stone building erected by the Uniates at the beginning of the 18th century, which was then reconstructed.
On the territory of Zhirovichi Monastery and its surroundings, the following springs were opened and consecrated:
- The Holy Spring near the Holy Dormition Cathedral;
- The Distant Holy Spring of the Mother of God;
- The Near Holy Spring.
What is interesting about the monastery today?
Currently, Zhirovichi Holy Dormition Monastery continues to be the Orthodox center of the region. This is one of the most visited places in Belarus. All the conditions for rest and useful pastime have been created here: a beautiful park, a reservoir, a bookstore, a souvenir shop, a bakery, a museum. Guests of the monastery can not only visit excursions and services, but also have lunch in the monastery refectory, as well as taste delicious freshly baked bread. By prior agreement, travelers can stay overnight after paying a donation.
The activity of the monastery is not limited to religious services: this place traditionally becomes the center of spiritual festivals, concerts, gatherings of Orthodox youth and other cultural events.
How to get to Zhirovichi monastery?
The spiritual pearl of Belarus is located in Zhirovichi agrotown, Slonim district, Grodno region. Buses and minibuses go here regularly, and excursions are also arranged.