St. Nicholas Orthodox Church in Białowieża

St. Nicholas Orthodox Church in Białowieża is a parish church built between 1894 and 1897, funded by Tsar Alexander III. Constructed from red brick on the site of a wooden temple from the first half of the 19th century, the church was designed by Juliusz Karol Miller, a German from Upper Silesia. It is characterized by two domes, a bell tower, and an iconostasis made of Chinese porcelain—the only one of its kind in Poland. Historically, it served as a tsarist church for the Orthodox community, which in 1900 numbered 2,315 believers, mostly Ruthenians. During World War I, the church survived bombings, but in World War II, it suffered significant damage, leading to subsequent renovations. Despite the difficult times, the German occupation period was also marked by tragedy for the local community, with mass executions near the church, commemorated to this day by memorial obelisks. The church has been renovated multiple times, including major repairs in the 1980s and the first decade of the 21st century, when conservation work was carried out with foreign funding. In 2019, it was reconsecrated after a comprehensive renovation that included modernization of the interior and installations. Its cultural life features parish choirs that continue the traditions of former student and official choirs, winning awards at international festivals of Orthodox church music. The church has been listed in the register of monuments since 1969. Its architectural counterpart, St. Vladimir the Great Church, is located in Czyżewszczyzna, Belarus. Both temples, despite differences in finishing, were built during the same period, underscoring their significance in the history of Orthodox churches in the region.