Church of the Icon of the Mother of God "Joy of All Who Sorrow" in Koterka

The Church of the Icon of the Mother of God "Joy of All Who Sorrow" in Koterka is an important Orthodox site located near the village of Tokary in Poland. It was built between 1909 and 1912 as a filial church of the parish in Tokary, whose history dates back to at least the 16th century. For some time, the parish was part of the Uniate Church, and after the Synod of Polotsk in 1839, it came under the jurisdiction of the Russian Orthodox Church. Koterka became a pilgrimage site following an alleged Marian apparition in 1852, which was, however, rejected by church authorities. Despite this, pilgrims continued to gather at the site, leading to the construction of the church. In 1906, Bishop Michael of Grodno approved the building of the church, which was supported by the faithful and various donations. Consecrated in 1912, the church features wooden log architecture with a hipped roof over the nave and an octagonal tower. During the interwar period and after World War II, when the church became a parish church, it grew in importance as a pilgrimage center. Many miraculous healings have been reported at this site. The church was entered into the register of historical monuments in 1984 and was reconsecrated in 2016 after renovations. It is distinguished by a two-row iconostasis and a venerated spring, making it an important place of worship and pilgrimage, despite the declining population of the surrounding villages. An interesting fact is that next to the church there is a six-meter cross commemorating the centenary of its construction.