Church of the Holy Apostles Peter and Paul in Wasilków

The Church of the Holy Apostles Peter and Paul in Wasilków is an Orthodox parish church belonging to the Białystok Deanery of the Białystok-Gdańsk Diocese of the Polish Autocephalous Orthodox Church. It is located at 17 Adama Mickiewicza Street, in a strategic location on the route from Białystok to Grodno. The first mentions of a wooden church date back to 1566, while the current brick building was erected in 1853 in the Byzantine-Russian style. An interesting architectural element is the historic iconostasis from 1836, which adorns the interior of the temple. Due to difficult ground conditions, the ground on which the church was built was reinforced with wooden piles and stones in lime mortar. In 1873, a late classicist gate was built, which served as a bell tower, and its unique architecture attracts the attention of visitors. The church was consecrated on May 22, 1853 by Bishop Józef of Vilnius. In 1866, a copy of the miraculous icon of the Mother of God from Holy Water, known as the Mother of God of Wasilków, was placed in the church. Unfortunately, in 1867 the church was partially burned down, and a year later it was completely destroyed by a lightning strike, which caused the bells to melt. Reconstruction began in 1871 and was completed in 1875, when the church was reconsecrated on September 8. In response to the growing number of faithful, a 50 m² vestibule was added in 2007. The church with its bell tower was entered into the register of monuments on November 19, 1993 under number A-506. The parish priest is Father Anatol Hajduczenia. The church not only serves a religious function, but is also an important cultural element of the region, attracting both the faithful and tourists interested in the history and architecture of Orthodox churches.