St. Barbara's Church in Milejczyce

The Church of St. Barbara in Milejczyce is an Orthodox parish church with a rich history dating back to at least the early 16th century, when it functioned as a Uniate church. At the turn of the 16th and 17th centuries, despite resistance from local believers, the parish adopted the Union of Brest, and by the 18th century, the building had fallen into disrepair. In 1839, following the decision of the Synod of Polotsk, the church came under the jurisdiction of the Russian Orthodox Church. Unfortunately, it was completely destroyed by fire in 1859, after which a new church was built between 1899 and 1900, which continues to serve as the parish church to this day. The church is a unique place of worship dedicated to St. Barbara, housing a 17th-century image of the saint. Located on St. Barbara Street, the building stands out for its wooden structure, typical of Orthodox church architecture, with three sections: the nave, the altar area, and the narthex, topped with distinctive domes. An interesting feature is the discovery and subsequent reconstruction of the crosses that once adorned the roof. The interior of the church is furnished with two iconostases and numerous valuable icons and processional banners, reflecting both Orthodox and Uniate heritage. In the 1980s, the church was added to the register of historical monuments, and in 2013, it underwent a comprehensive renovation that restored its original appearance. Over the centuries, despite changing political and religious circumstances, the church in Milejczyce has remained an important center of worship and a site of cultural heritage in the region.