The Church of the Protection of the Mother of God in Bończa

The Church of the Protection of the Mother of God in Bończa is an Orthodox temple with a rich history dating back to 1489. It is situated on a hill along the route from Krasnystaw to Uchanie and Hrubieszów, within the Zamość deanery of the Lublin-Chełm diocese of the Polish Autocephalous Orthodox Church. In the 17th century, the church adopted the Union of Brest, and in 1724, a new wooden temple was built, which later came under the jurisdiction of the Russian Orthodox Church. The current brick church was constructed between 1878 and 1881 in the Moscow-Yaroslavl style, a variation of Russian-Byzantine architecture. The church features a tripartite structure with a bell tower mounted on a tented roof and onion domes, reflecting the architectural trends of that era. The interior contains furnishings from the 17th and 18th centuries, including icons and a single-tier iconostasis. The history of the temple has been tumultuous; after World War II, parish activities ceased, and the church was closed. In 1956, permission was granted for its reopening, but regular services only resumed in 2007, following a major renovation at the end of the 20th century. Interestingly, the church in Bończa resembles other temples in the region, a common architectural practice during the time of the Russian Empire. The church was entered into the register of historical monuments in 2004, highlighting its cultural and historical significance in the region.