Church of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Rogacze

The Church of the Nativity of the Most Holy Theotokos in Rogacze is a historic Orthodox church with a rich history dating back to the early 17th century. Located in the eastern part of the village, the church is a wooden, oriented, tripartite structure featuring a distinctive bell tower topped with an onion dome. The interior is adorned with a three-tiered eclectic iconostasis from 1874 and a *darochranitielnica* (vessel storage) from the second quarter of the 19th century. The church has undergone many transformations: initially Uniate, it was incorporated into the Russian Orthodox Church after 1839, where the veneration of Saint Anthony of the Caves was introduced. In the 18th century, an apparition of Saint Anthony’s image on a tree contributed to the growth of his cult. The church suffered damage from fires and wars over the centuries but was regularly restored. In 1940, a second altar dedicated to Saint Anthony of the Caves was installed, and in 1944, the building was damaged by artillery fire. It has undergone several renovations, including a comprehensive restoration in the 21st century. Interestingly, the original icon of Saint Anthony disappeared during the *bieżeństwo* (mass exodus) of 1915 but was replaced with a high-quality copy. The church was entered into the register of historical monuments in 2009. Its architecture and interior reflect the rich cultural history of the region and its enduring spiritual significance to the local community.