Church of the Dormition of the Most Holy Mother of God in Uhrusk

The Church of the Dormition of the Most Holy Theotokos in Uhrusk is an Orthodox church located in the Lublin region, with a rich history dating back to at least 1220, when the first church, then serving as a cathedral, already existed. This building has undergone various stages of denominational affiliation, from Orthodox to Uniate, and finally to the Russian Orthodox Church in 1875. The current church, built in 1849 with funds provided by Laura Kirshteynova, is characterized by a classicist-Byzantine style with neo-Romanesque and neo-Gothic elements, and its unique architecture distinguishes it among other Uniate churches in the region. The church is built on an elongated plan, featuring a three-bay nave and a four-part chancel, with a multi-pitched roof bell tower rising above the vestibule. The interior is covered with groin vaults, and the 18th-century iconostasis contains valuable icons, including depictions of the Mother of God and St. Nicholas. Interestingly, the church was never converted into a Roman Catholic church, which reflects its authentic appearance and makes it an important element of the region's cultural heritage. The church has been renovated multiple times and has witnessed numerous historical events, including destruction related to World War I and World War II. After the war, as part of Operation Vistula, most of the local Orthodox residents were displaced, and the church itself came under the care of the Catholic Church before eventually being reopened to the faithful in the 1950s. Since 1987, the church has been listed in the register of monuments, highlighting its architectural and cultural value.