St. Francis Xavier Cathedral
712 reviews
March 15, 2023
Peaceful place ❤️
4
July 6, 2023
cool
3
July 15
The Cathedral of St. Francis Xavier, the Orthodox Church. The grandiose, monumental cathedral was built by the Jesuits in 1678-1705. The towers of the cathedral, whose height reaches 65 meters, are visible from different parts of the city. One of the towers has a clock, one of the oldest in Europe. The clockwork dates back to the XIV century. Since 1990, it has been bearing the title of "minor basilica". The interior decoration impresses with its solemnity and splendor. The main altar is 21 meters high and is decorated with many figures and sculptures. A stained glass window with a dove in the rays of the sun, like in St. Peter's Cathedral. You can't look at it. In addition, there are 12 side altars. To the right of the main altar is the altar of the Mother of God of the Snow, which contains a particularly revered miraculous list from the icon "Salus Populi Romani" from the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore with many here (thanks) in the form of hearts, crosses, hands, feet. Well, Rome, faithful Rome. You can tell a lot, it's better to visit this holy place.
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6
September 2
A stunning church with an incredibly beautiful interior design. Each element of the decor is a work of art. The territory is well maintained, everything is clean inside. Part of the interior is fenced off for tourists, and rightly so, it is primarily a place to communicate with God, and only then a tourist attraction. It is very quiet and peaceful inside. It's a pity that I couldn't get into the service. There will be a reason to return
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1
August 19
The magnificent cathedral (Catholic) Cathedral in Grodno. The interior decoration and beauty are very impressive. One of the largest Catholic churches in Belarus. It was built for the Jesuit Order. It has the title of a minor basilica. This title is awarded to Catholic shrines of great historical and religious significance. It is a pity that it is impossible to take a close look, walk along the aisles, since the hall is blocked so that the flow of visitors does not interfere with the faithful to pray.
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July 17
Very beautiful!!! The decoration is so realistically executed, all the figures are most likely human-sized, it is difficult to assess from afar, they are simply unique! Everything is good, benches, candlesticks in the form of iron wood, not just on a stand like ours. And overall, this Church is certainly impressive. The outside is ordinary, straight from the street entrance, but inside it is simple as a separate kingdom. I highly recommend it. Very beautiful. Well, it's very good. The ceiling is tall, painted in gorgeous tones. It's just great. See for yourself))) Good luck to everyone!!!
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2
June 21
I liked the church for its design, it is light, there are many different figures, there is something to see. It was interesting to compare it with European ones. They don't let you go far now, only during the service you can sit closer. And if you're a tourist, then that's it, you won't get far. If you are not going to work, then look at the time on the website at which it is better to visit so as not to disturb anyone.
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3
September 13
The church is very nice in the classical style. Everything looks good inside, clean and tidy. The church is also very rich in various paintings, murals, mosaics and, of course, gold. Kostya was beautiful, and he will be 100 and 200 years old.
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3
June 8
Delight. This is the first acquaintance with Catholic churches. Everything is interesting, unusual and very beautiful. Be sure to visit the service, it is conducted here in Polish. It's very atmospheric.
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October 6
One of the business cards and attractions of Grodno. It is located in the city center. It's very beautiful. I recommend a visit, the Old and New Castle are also located nearby.
It's impressive. Very beautiful
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September 12
Everything is very cool and informative.
It feels like I got into the Middle Ages, very cozy and comfortable.
Tip:
Be sure to use the services of a guide.
You will have a much more useful time.
Enjoy your stay
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3
July 16
The very beautiful orthodox church of Francis Xavier is one of the most beautiful in Grodno. The main decoration of the facade is an ancient clock of the 16th century that survived the destruction of the city hall, they still have an authentic clockwork mechanism that is carefully monitored. The Church - a miracle of Baroque architecture ; the main altar is a work of art that cannot take your eyes off ; in addition to the main altar , there are 12 more worthy altars in the church ; a polyphonic organ can be heard during mass ; the organist also has excellent voice data that will not leave you indifferent .
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November 13
This temple is 300 years old and briefly a little bit of its history.
Today it is the main church of the Grodno Diocese (region), the Cathedral of St. Francis Xavier in Grodno, informally also called the Orthodox Church.
It is one of three churches in Belarus bearing the title of Minor basilica, a title for special Catholic churches. It is assigned by the Pope, or by the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments, to which the Pontiff himself delegates the appropriate powers.
Such titles are only worn by historically significant and pilgrimage temples, they have a number of privileges compared to ordinary temples because they can be granted full indulgence (forgiveness).
The history of the temple began in the XVI (sixteenth) century. It was then, with the support of the King of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth and the Grand Duke of Lithuania Stefan Batory, who lived in Grodno, that the Catholic Jesuit Order settled in the city and their monastery needed a temple.
King Stefan Batory wanted the first Jesuit church in Grodno to be the previously built Farah Vitovta, but the Jesuits refused to recognize it.
The funds for the construction of the new temple were allocated by King Stefan Batory himself, and this amount amounted to ten thousand zlotys (huge money at that time). Initially, the Jesuits built a wooden church and consecrated it in honor of the Holy Apostles Peter and Paul (according to legend, it burned down during one of the fires raging in Grodno).
In the 70s of the XVII century, the city of Grodno, due to the king permanently residing in the city and the congresses of the Seimas of the Republic held here, became the de facto second, not the official capital of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth. It was then that Grodno began to dress in stone, and then they began to build a new Jesuit temple in it – yes, such that it had to outshine all other temples in beauty and luxury in order to correspond to the high status of the capital.
The construction has been going on successfully for more than thirty years. And in 1705, the solemn consecration of the temple took place.
The ceremony was attended by two crowned heads: the King of Poland and the Grand Duke of Lithuania August the Strong, and the first Emperor of All Russia Peter I.
A new church was consecrated in honor of the revered Catholic saint and missionary Francis Xavier. He was also one of the founders of the Jesuit order. Francis spent most of his life in Southeast Asia, and also preached in India and Japan.
Immediately after the construction, the temple looked different than it does now. The facade was simpler, and its main decoration – two symmetrical towers – did not exist then: they were built only in the middle of the XVIII century.
The Jesuit monastery complex grew and eventually began to occupy an entire block. He had a Jesuit college (which later became the first university in the city), a library, a pharmacy, and outbuildings. Some of the buildings of the complex have survived to the present day, for example: a correctional institution (Grodno prison) is now operating in one of the buildings.
And the pharmacy building is "pressed" to the north side of the church, which now also houses a museum.
In 1725, a mechanical tower clock was installed in the north tower of the church, previously it was located in the tower of the city hall, destroyed during the Russian-Polish war of the mid-17th century. This clock is one of the oldest operating tower clocks in Eastern Europe.
The interior of the church is decorated with 13 altars, including 12 side altars.
The most outstanding decorative element of the interior of the temple is the unique central carved altar, which was created from 1736 to 1738. The main altar of the Grodno Orthodox Church is one of the tallest Baroque altars in Europe, its height reaches 21 meters. The three-tiered composition of the altar is decorated with more than forty sculptures. In the left chapel of the transept there is an altar of St. Michael the Archangel with sculptural images of prominent figures of that time. All these decorative elements have a high artistic value.
In 1782, the Jesuit church became a parish church. That's when he got the unofficial nickname Farny Church.
Despite the fact that Vitovt's Headlight, which was located not far away, was damaged and subsequently destroyed. The two world wars did not cause much damage to the Orthodox Church, after which the residents of Grodno and its surroundings tried to save it from destruction. Grodno residents spent days and nights in the temple fearing that this temple would be destroyed following the example of Farah Vytautas. In 1960, services were banned in the Orthodox Church, but parishioners continued to come to the church and pray. Only 27 years later, church services began to be held in the church of Francis Xavier again.
Today, the Church of St. Francis Xavier is certainly one of the main attractions with great cultural and historical value.
Still surrounded by the care of its rector and parishioners, the descendants of those who preserved this beautiful temple - Grodno residents.
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August 22
A delightful place, mesmerizing.
It is a very beautiful historical place. Admission is free. There is a service until 13:00 and they are not allowed in. After that, you can visit. I recommend this amazing beautiful place in Grodno to everyone
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August 3
The Orthodox church is located opposite the central square and impresses with its grandeur, its interior decoration impresses with its wealth and beauty. The church is functioning, there are a lot of people, solemn services, the organ is playing.
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May 13
This is a very historic and monumental building. It is a very beautiful, very majestic and very very interesting place. The interior is very impressive, the icons are beautiful and richly decorated, this place is a must-see and visit when visiting Grodno
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3
August 22
A very beautiful church, both outside and inside, very rich decoration, a large organ. It is located in the very center of the city. There is also a very beautiful courtyard behind the church, where everything is in flowers in summer.
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July 29
The current temple in the center of Grodno. Very, very beautiful! It does not look like a Catholic church, in the opinion of ordinary people like me. I really liked it!!! I definitely recommend you to visit!!!!
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1
November 6
It's very, very beautiful. Incredible feelings after visiting the church. There are excursions, the interior of the church is simply incredibly beautiful. It's very beautiful, breathtaking. 👍
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July 28
We visited the Church as part of an individual tour, and learned a lot of historical facts from the guide from the moment of the Church's creation to the present day. It's very beautiful inside. I couldn't listen to the organ, it only plays during the service
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October 8
I really like to visit this church. Just to sit and think, although she is of a different religion. A wonderful iconic place. Beauty and greatness! In addition, there is a rare miraculous icon of the Mother of God in this temple...Organ music highlights the splendor and spirituality of this place.
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1
September 4
It's just space. For me, the interior is very bright for a Catholic church, everything is very colorful. The church has a very interesting history. I advise you to definitely visit!
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April 17
The Orthodox Church on Sovetskaya Square is an architectural dominant in the historical center of the city. In 1991, after the formation of the Grodno Catholic diocese, the church became a Cathedral. The majestic church with a rich history, beyond the control of time, destructive wars and ruling regimes is the hallmark of the city above the Neman.
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3
May 22
It is a very beautiful church both inside and outside, there are always a lot of people as it is located in the city center, it is illuminated from the outside on weekend evenings, it is definitely worth a look
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3
September 11
This is a must-visit place in the wonderful city of Grodno, regardless of religion. It is very impressive both outside and inside. It would also be great to hear organ music in these walls.
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3
May 4
The Church of St. Francis Xavier (Farny) – Grodno, Belarus.
The temple is of extraordinary beauty.
It is definitely recommended to visit.
Built in 1687.
The cathedral impresses not only with its luxury, but also with its size.
There are 13 altars here: 12 side and central, main.
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6
October 6, 2023
A very majestic structure, with a rich history, of course it is more interesting when a guide is nearby, there are several altars of different eras, statues of saints on the facade and they are wooden!!! although I would never believe it looking at them, and their age is equal to the age of the church. Who is going to Grodno, be sure to take a sightseeing tour of the city, it's very interesting, by the way, we had a guide, Andrey, I forgot my patronymic to my shame, so he told me very interesting
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3
October 6
The church is certainly beautiful. But! The security guard in the church is trash! We managed to take photos, but in general photos and videos are prohibited! And of course we weren't at the service.
We didn't mess with the believers. They didn't interfere or even talk. Of course, they took pictures without a flash and looked decent. When the guard ran to us and started saying that it was forbidden to take pictures, I was very surprised because at first I did not see a sign that forbids doing this. I calmly replied and didn't take any more pictures, but he was generally hostile.
I have not seen such a thing in any country or in any Catholic cathedral.
I want to get positive emotions in such a place and get closer to God, but I got comments and evil looks.
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November 15, 2023
A historically beautiful and memorable place,one of the most ancient places in Belarus,I recommend visiting this place at least once,the scale and type of construction is impressive,very beautiful,I visited this Church for the first time,I was very impressed,there is a pharmacy museum nearby,but the museum is not large, but very interesting,you can buy handmade souvenirs works,herbal kits, gift teas, and much more, in general, I recommend it!:)
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4
1
August 31
For everyone who reads this review in the morning, afternoon, evening and night - hello.
I don't advertise to anyone and I don't want to offend anyone with my review. Therefore, I write what I see, try, and feel.
Briefly.
In this case, these are matters of faith and of course I will try to be more careful.
Externally, the church building looks interesting. It's old. For all interested people and of different faiths, everyone can enter inside. However, not all parts of it can be passed, limiters are hanging. My wife came in and said that she had examined everything possible. She said it was interesting. I stayed at the entrance.
Honestly, but it's not mine. I go to church.
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September 11
It is a very beautiful Church, both outside and inside .❤️❤️❤️It is one of the main attractions of Grodno.🔥🔥🔥Only there are usually a lot of tourists .👎👎👎
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2
June 11
A beautiful Baroque church. Curiously, the stained glass above the altar with the symbol of the Holy Spirit is a copy of that in St. Peter's Cathedral in Rome. The organ is especially delightful
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July 30
A very beautiful Church! It takes your breath away! Even if you are not a believer, then be sure to visit, stand and look around! I recommend it!
My wife and I really liked it
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August 19
The beauty is indescribable! Warm atmosphere, kind people, wonderful live organ sound! Thanks! I hope that we will come again. I recommend it for a visit!!!
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July 27
Solemn atmosphere, interesting historical interiors, rich history, beautiful views from the clock tower. A fine example of a minor basilica.
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August 31
It is very beautiful and majestic. There is a sense of prayer and God's presence.
Father (pastor), very friendly and attentive.
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March 25
A very soulful and indescribably beautiful place😍 harmony, faith and tranquility reign inside. A must-visit. A great place, both for religious people and just for people who appreciate architecture and art.
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3
July 28
The decoration is very rich. So many unique details. I would like to consider each one. Very beautiful. You can enter freely . The church is active.
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September 20
An ancient beautiful place. The church is functioning and very beautiful, well maintained. It is mandatory to visit! It is a pity that visitors are not allowed for a full inspection, there are signs everywhere that the passage is only for a meeting with God.
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June 17
One of our favorite places in Grodno. During the 2 days spent in this city, the church was visited twice. A very beautiful and memorable place!
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3
July 2
The church is good from the outside and very beautiful from the inside, tourists are allowed only to a red ribbon, so as not to interfere with parishioners and divine services. The central altar which gives the impression of marble turned out to be carved from wood
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1
May 9
A wonderful place, one might even say magical. The spirit of the times is felt and the beauty is simply mesmerizing. It is located in a beautiful and convenient place where you can relax with your soul!
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July 23, 2023
Я бы хотел поделиться своим впечатлением о Костеле святого Франтишка Ксаверия. Это прекрасное место, которое поразило меня своей красотой и духовной атмосферой.
Во-первых, я хотел бы отметить удивительную архитектуру костела. Его фасад украшен красивыми скульптурами и узорами, которые создают неповторимую атмосферу.
Во-вторых, я был поражен внутренней отделкой костела. Его интерьер украшен росписями и статуями, которые создают ощущение покоя и гармонии.
Наконец, я хотел бы отметить духовную атмосферу костела. Это место наполнено молитвами и поклонением, что создает особую энергетику и помогает ощутить связь с высшими силами.
В целом, я очень рекомендую посетить Костел святого Франтишка Ксаверия всем, кто хочет насладиться красотой и духовностью этого места. Это точно стоит посетить!
6
July 16
This Orthodox Church is definitely worth a look. It is a miracle that it has survived to this day. Well, it is necessary to attend Mass, at least at the very beginning. Organ music will only add to the experience.
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April 24
The largest church in the city is very beautiful from the outside. The clock on one of the towers is the oldest working clock in Europe. Unfortunately, it was not possible to study the interior: we came there specifically not during the service, so as not to disturb anyone, but all the passages were blocked by some kind of chains. We did not overcome the obstacles. There was nothing like this in any Catholic cathedral in Italy, France, or Spain
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3
August 6
A temple that is obligatory to visit and regardless of the faith of confession. It fascinates with its grandeur, interior, silence and tranquility.
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3
May 18
We weren't inside, but it's impressive from the outside, although not "flaming Gothic" We walked around and around, the pictures are very good. And there is a good square nearby. As a photo stop, it is good and even very good
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1
October 5
The church is incredibly beautiful. It's like, "wow." Unfortunately, you can't take pictures inside, but you should know that you definitely need to go there. Majestic!
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1
February 12
Definitely worth a visit, it is advisable to take an excursion. inside, almost everything has been preserved. The church has survived almost all wars. It looks beautiful externally. Definitely an interesting attraction
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3
June 23
The church impresses and fascinates at the same time! The beauty is indescribable - you just have to see it!!! A must-visit place!
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