The Church of the Kazan Icon of the Mother of God and St. Elijah the Prophet in Wojsławice

The Church of the Kazan Icon of the Mother of God and St. Elijah in Wojsławice is an Orthodox filial church belonging to the parish of St. John the Theologian in Chełm and the Lublin-Chełm Diocese of the Polish Autocephalous Orthodox Church. Its history dates back to the 15th century, when the first churches existed in the town, including a wooden church dedicated to St. Elijah. The current building, erected between 1771 and 1774 in the Baroque style, was funded by Marianna née Daniłowicz and originally served the Uniate rite. Its characteristic architectural features include masonry walls, a vestibule, a single nave, and a polygonal chancel. The interior was once adorned with frescoes by Michał Olechwier and a four-tier iconostasis, which unfortunately was removed due to historical turmoil. The church served as the seat of an Orthodox parish until the 1940s, when the local Ukrainian Orthodox population was deported, leading to its closure and gradual deterioration, and the building was converted into a warehouse. It was not until the early 21st century that a successful renovation was initiated, and in 2009, the first service was held after a long hiatus. Although the church does not have a permanent congregation, it is opened for special occasions, particularly during the organized Meetings of Three Cultures. In 2012, the first Holy Liturgy since the resettlement took place. Architectural highlights include the onion-shaped dome and Tuscan pilasters adorning the exterior walls, as well as historical frescoes, although most of them have been largely destroyed. The church was entered into the register of monuments on January 31, 1970. The building not only testifies to the rich history of Orthodoxy in the region but also serves a cultural function as a meeting place for the integration of various ethnic and religious groups.