St. Francis Xavier Cathedral

5.0

3785 ratings

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Sophia Kokelea

Level 5 Local Expert

Peaceful place ❤️

Сергей Б.

Level 4 Local Expert

cool

Валерий Кузьмин

Level 7 Local Expert

The cathedral is very beautiful inside and elegant outside, but it also hosts very good organ music and singing events! The cathedral itself is a must, but I also recommend attending a sermon, even if you are not a Catholic like me. The sermons are quite frequent and take about 30 minutes.

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Юлия М.

Level 15 Local Expert

The large, extraordinarily beautiful Church of St. Francis Xavier. The interior is impressive. The services are conducted accompanied by an organ. The service itself, if I understood the accent correctly, is held in Polish. Quite a lot of people were in the parish. I advise you to visit and admire both the external and internal beauty of the Church)

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Алина

Level 16 Local Expert

A stunning church with an incredibly beautiful interior design. Each element of the decor is a work of art. The territory is well maintained, everything is clean inside. Part of the interior is fenced off for tourists, and rightly so, it is primarily a place to communicate with God, and only then a tourist attraction. It is very quiet and peaceful inside. It's a pity that I couldn't get into the service. There will be a reason to return

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Req_ Æt

Level 30 Local Expert

The Cathedral of St. Francis Xavier, the Orthodox Church. The grandiose, monumental cathedral was built by the Jesuits in 1678-1705. The towers of the cathedral, whose height reaches 65 meters, are visible from different parts of the city. One of the towers has a clock, one of the oldest in Europe. The clockwork dates back to the XIV century. Since 1990, it has been bearing the title of "minor basilica". The interior decoration impresses with its solemnity and splendor. The main altar is 21 meters high and is decorated with many figures and sculptures. A stained glass window with a dove in the rays of the sun, like in St. Peter's Cathedral. You can't look at it. In addition, there are 12 side altars. To the right of the main altar is the altar of the Mother of God of the Snow, which contains a particularly revered miraculous list from the icon "Salus Populi Romani" from the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore with many here (thanks) in the form of hearts, crosses, hands, feet. Well, Rome, faithful Rome. You can tell a lot, it's better to visit this holy place.

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TSO-SAMARA

Level 25 Local Expert

A very impressive and beautiful Catholic church. The organ plays at the services, as it should. Located in the very center of the city, it is included in all city tours. Definitely worth seeing and visiting!

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Полина

Level 13 Local Expert

The magnificent cathedral (Catholic) Cathedral in Grodno. The interior decoration and beauty are very impressive. One of the largest Catholic churches in Belarus. It was built for the Jesuit Order. It has the title of a minor basilica. This title is awarded to Catholic shrines of great historical and religious significance. It is a pity that it is impossible to take a close look, walk along the aisles, since the hall is blocked so that the flow of visitors does not interfere with the faithful to pray.

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Ирина Яковлева

Level 25 Local Expert

The main cathedral of the city was built in the late 17th- early 18th century. It has the title of a minor basilica. The main relic of the temple is the image of the Snow Mother of God, which is recognized as miraculous, and about 100 miracles related to it have been recorded. We came to the cathedral during an excursion from Minsk to Grodno. We went to the temple during the wedding, a very beautiful ceremony and unusual for us Orthodox Christians, we were all present at a Catholic wedding for the first time. The cathedral is solemn and beautiful both outside and inside. He also gave the impression of lightness and even airiness, maybe influenced by the sunny weather and a good mood. The cathedral is located in the city center on the square, next to the pedestrian Sovetskaya Street, which is a tourist attraction in Grodno. There are many restaurants and coffee shops for every taste in the area.

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Татьяна Токарева

Level 12 Local Expert

Good day!!!After reading the negative reviews, I can say with full confidence that I am very, very lucky!!!To visit such a beautiful place is a great happiness!I got into the service, and I didn't kneel, and I took pictures, and no one commented on me!!!And how can you not take a picture of such divine beauty as a souvenir!!!Everything I saw and heard, even though I don't understand the language, was breathtaking!!!The guards are kind and even very kind!!!Thank you so much for the wonderful attitude in the temple!!! Tatiana St. Petersburg.

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IriS Tsvetkova

Level 11 Local Expert

My favorite church. The organ was opened in the summer, after a long restoration. We got to this wonderful event. The church itself is sooo beautiful, there are many parishioners, and there are also many visitors. They sing beautifully. I really love being here.

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Ева Романова

Level 15 Local Expert

Very beautiful!!! The decoration is so realistically executed, all the figures are most likely human-sized, it is difficult to assess from afar, they are simply unique! Everything is good, benches, candlesticks in the form of iron wood, not just on a stand like ours. And overall, this Church is certainly impressive. The outside is ordinary, straight from the street entrance, but inside it is simple as a separate kingdom. I highly recommend it. Very beautiful. Well, it's very good. The ceiling is tall, painted in gorgeous tones. It's just great. See for yourself))) Good luck to everyone!!!

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Irina Filatova

Level 11 Local Expert

It is a very beautiful church, but only a small space is reserved for visitors at the entrance. Then there is a safety rope and an announcement that the passage is only for worshippers. I study art, and I was traveling to Grodno to examine and photograph the altar in detail, and suddenly this happened. Yes, of course, a church is a place for prayer and worship, but in this case it is also a work of art. It is very unpleasant that access is being restricted for those who are not interested in the religious component. This is the first time I've encountered this...

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Виктория Бобрицкая

Level 3 Local Expert

I strongly advise you to visit this Church!!There was no limit to my delight.It was really a very interesting tour, surprisingly it wasn't even boring, so those who will be in Belarus will definitely visit this place!!!

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Наталья К.

Level 7 Local Expert

Fantastic beauty, both inside and out. The current body. Lots of wood carvings, stained glass windows. Wedding ceremonies are held on Sundays. I was lucky, I got in and they even let me into the second row, to the guests. A positive, bright impression of the visit, some kind of lightness. Catholic service, unlike Orthodox, does not put pressure on a person, there is a lot of life and empathy in it.

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Марина

Level 9 Local Expert

It's just an amazing building... From the exterior to the interior! We came with an excursion, told everything, showed everything. It's a very interesting service...

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Даниил Ярмусик

Level 4 Local Expert

The church is very nice in the classical style. Everything looks good inside, clean and tidy. The church is also very rich in various paintings, murals, mosaics and, of course, gold. Kostya was beautiful, and he will be 100 and 200 years old.

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tatiana urchenko

Level 10 Local Expert

The interior of the church is beautiful. They wanted to see everything closer, but they couldn't do it because of the stretched rope blocking the way for the curious tourist. Perhaps this was done out of concern for our safety? One column with statues and icons was in the woods and was being restored. In the Vatican, no one restricted access to works of art....In the evening, only the clock on the facade is illuminated.

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Саша Воробьёв

Level 13 Local Expert

The best Church in the world and Europe, in Grodno it is a very popular place among tourists and residents of this city! I recommend visiting this place.

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Alexander Indifferen

Level 18 Local Expert

One of the business cards and attractions of Grodno. It is located in the city center. It's very beautiful. I recommend a visit, the Old and New Castle are also located nearby. It's impressive. Very beautiful

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Михаил Мефед

Level 4 Local Expert

Everything is very cool and informative. It feels like I got into the Middle Ages, very cozy and comfortable. Tip: Be sure to use the services of a guide. You will have a much more useful time. Enjoy your stay

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Елена Калуга

Level 16 Local Expert

I really liked this church. Majestic, sublime, so much energy. We got there during the New Year holidays, when everything was decorated and shone. I just wanted to sit down, watch and listen to the singing, enjoying what was happening

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Сергей Салганов

Level 15 Local Expert

The bones are very beautiful, the interior is cozy and clean... The locals said that organ concerts take place here! We were in Grodno for a couple of days, and unfortunately we didn't find it! ... I recommend..

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Анастасия Воронина

Level 14 Local Expert

One of the main attractions of Grodno is an active church, so when visiting, take into account the holding of services so as not to interfere. Very beautiful interior, worth seeing.

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Дмитрий М.

Level 16 Local Expert

This is a very historic and monumental building. It is a very beautiful, very majestic and very very interesting place. The interior is very impressive, the icons are beautiful and richly decorated, this place is a must-see and visit when visiting Grodno

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Андрей

Level 13 Local Expert

This temple is 300 years old and briefly a little bit of its history. Today it is the main church of the Grodno Diocese (region), the Cathedral of St. Francis Xavier in Grodno, informally also called the Orthodox Church. It is one of three churches in Belarus bearing the title of Minor basilica, a title for special Catholic churches. It is assigned by the Pope, or by the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments, to which the Pontiff himself delegates the appropriate powers. Such titles are only worn by historically significant and pilgrimage temples, they have a number of privileges compared to ordinary temples because they can be granted full indulgence (forgiveness). The history of the temple began in the XVI (sixteenth) century. It was then, with the support of the King of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth and the Grand Duke of Lithuania Stefan Batory, who lived in Grodno, that the Catholic Jesuit Order settled in the city and their monastery needed a temple. King Stefan Batory wanted the first Jesuit church in Grodno to be the previously built Farah Vitovta, but the Jesuits refused to recognize it. The funds for the construction of the new temple were allocated by King Stefan Batory himself, and this amount amounted to ten thousand zlotys (huge money at that time). Initially, the Jesuits built a wooden church and consecrated it in honor of the Holy Apostles Peter and Paul (according to legend, it burned down during one of the fires raging in Grodno). In the 70s of the XVII century, the city of Grodno, due to the king permanently residing in the city and the congresses of the Seimas of the Republic held here, became the de facto second, not the official capital of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth. It was then that Grodno began to dress in stone, and then they began to build a new Jesuit temple in it – yes, such that it had to outshine all other temples in beauty and luxury in order to correspond to the high status of the capital. The construction has been going on successfully for more than thirty years. And in 1705, the solemn consecration of the temple took place. The ceremony was attended by two crowned heads: the King of Poland and the Grand Duke of Lithuania August the Strong, and the first Emperor of All Russia Peter I. A new church was consecrated in honor of the revered Catholic saint and missionary Francis Xavier. He was also one of the founders of the Jesuit order. Francis spent most of his life in Southeast Asia, and also preached in India and Japan. Immediately after the construction, the temple looked different than it does now. The facade was simpler, and its main decoration – two symmetrical towers – did not exist then: they were built only in the middle of the XVIII century. The Jesuit monastery complex grew and eventually began to occupy an entire block. He had a Jesuit college (which later became the first university in the city), a library, a pharmacy, and outbuildings. Some of the buildings of the complex have survived to the present day, for example: a correctional institution (Grodno prison) is now operating in one of the buildings. And the pharmacy building is "pressed" to the north side of the church, which now also houses a museum. In 1725, a mechanical tower clock was installed in the north tower of the church, previously it was located in the tower of the city hall, destroyed during the Russian-Polish war of the mid-17th century. This clock is one of the oldest operating tower clocks in Eastern Europe. The interior of the church is decorated with 13 altars, including 12 side altars. The most outstanding decorative element of the interior of the temple is the unique central carved altar, which was created from 1736 to 1738. The main altar of the Grodno Orthodox Church is one of the tallest Baroque altars in Europe, its height reaches 21 meters. The three-tiered composition of the altar is decorated with more than forty sculptures. In the left chapel of the transept there is an altar of St. Michael the Archangel with sculptural images of prominent figures of that time. All these decorative elements have a high artistic value. In 1782, the Jesuit church became a parish church. That's when he got the unofficial nickname Farny Church. Despite the fact that Vitovt's Headlight, which was located not far away, was damaged and subsequently destroyed. The two world wars did not cause much damage to the Orthodox Church, after which the residents of Grodno and its surroundings tried to save it from destruction. Grodno residents spent days and nights in the temple fearing that this temple would be destroyed following the example of Farah Vytautas. In 1960, services were banned in the Orthodox Church, but parishioners continued to come to the church and pray. Only 27 years later, church services began to be held in the church of Francis Xavier again. Today, the Church of St. Francis Xavier is certainly one of the main attractions with great cultural and historical value. Still surrounded by the care of its rector and parishioners, the descendants of those who preserved this beautiful temple - Grodno residents.

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Екатерина Волегова

Level 7 Local Expert

I liked the church for its design, it is light, there are many different figures, there is something to see. It was interesting to compare it with European ones. They don't let you go far now, only during the service you can sit closer. And if you're a tourist, then that's it, you won't get far. If you are not going to work, then look at the time on the website at which it is better to visit so as not to disturb anyone.

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Инна Андрей

Level 7 Local Expert

It's beautiful inside. The parishioners are friendly, even though we are of a different religion, we told the story of the church and showed the ancient icons.

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Вероника Войтович

Level 5 Local Expert

beautiful, charming and majestic! The only thing that upset me was that most of the hall was separated and the entrance was allowed only for prayers.

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Илона Иоанна

Level 8 Local Expert

One of the most magnificent churches in terms of both beauty and status. Pope John Paul II awarded this church the status of a Minor Basilica in 1990. In Belarus, only a few churches bear this honorary title.

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Ольга Гроссман

Level 11 Local Expert

It's very beautiful, magical, and soulful. During the service, it is better not for tourists to enter, some people climb into their own house, interfere with the parishioners.

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Андрей Безштанько

Level 9 Local Expert

The Orthodox Church on Sovetskaya Square is an architectural dominant in the historical center of the city. In 1991, after the formation of the Grodno Catholic diocese, the church became a Cathedral. The majestic church with a rich history, beyond the control of time, destructive wars and ruling regimes is the hallmark of the city above the Neman.

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Борис Шишкин

Level 20 Local Expert

Delight. This is the first acquaintance with Catholic churches. Everything is interesting, unusual and very beautiful. Be sure to visit the service, it is conducted here in Polish. It's very atmospheric.

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Яна К.

Level 9 Local Expert

A very beautiful church😍😍😍 once inside, I didn't want to leave. Very pleasant energy. And the interior architecture is simply fascinating!

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Галина Шевелева

Level 6 Local Expert

Unlike Orthodox churches, women can enter here without headscarves. It was beautiful and quiet, although there were quite a lot of people.

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Олег Сергеевич

Level 11 Local Expert

It's very, very beautiful. Incredible feelings after visiting the church. There are excursions, the interior of the church is simply incredibly beautiful. It's very beautiful, breathtaking. 👍

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Ольга Янушко

Level 13 Local Expert

A beautiful Catholic church, with magnificent statues of saints, icons, and an organ playing inside. There is a shop where they sell Catholic icons, ruzhans, candles and much more.

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Евгения Драгунова

Level 9 Local Expert

A very majestic structure, with a rich history, of course it is more interesting when a guide is nearby, there are several altars of different eras, statues of saints on the facade and they are wooden!!! although I would never believe it looking at them, and their age is equal to the age of the church. Who is going to Grodno, be sure to take a sightseeing tour of the city, it's very interesting, by the way, we had a guide, Andrey, I forgot my patronymic to my shame, so he told me very interesting

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Наталия

Level 14 Local Expert

The very beautiful orthodox church of Francis Xavier is one of the most beautiful in Grodno. The main decoration of the facade is an ancient clock of the 16th century that survived the destruction of the city hall, they still have an authentic clockwork mechanism that is carefully monitored. The Church - a miracle of Baroque architecture ; the main altar is a work of art that cannot take your eyes off ; in addition to the main altar , there are 12 more worthy altars in the church ; a polyphonic organ can be heard during mass ; the organist also has excellent voice data that will not leave you indifferent .

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Аленка Исаева

Level 30 Local Expert

The Church of St. Francis Xavier (Farny) – Grodno, Belarus. The temple is of extraordinary beauty. It is definitely recommended to visit. Built in 1687. The cathedral impresses not only with its luxury, but also with its size. There are 13 altars here: 12 side and central, main.

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marina martynenko

Level 14 Local Expert

Of course, I've probably never seen such beauty...high vaults, beautiful paintings of biblical subjects, gilded statues, the eyes run away...It's a must-see!

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Вера

Level 6 Local Expert

A beautiful church with magnificent exterior and interior decoration, a real work of art. The services are also very emotional. Located in the city center, it is simply impossible to pass by, I recommend everyone to visit this place.

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Елена Рапейко

Level 15 Local Expert

I really like to visit this church. Just to sit and think, although she is of a different religion. A wonderful iconic place. Beauty and greatness! In addition, there is a rare miraculous icon of the Mother of God in this temple...Organ music highlights the splendor and spirituality of this place.

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Ленина Л.

Level 9 Local Expert

A delightful place, mesmerizing. It is a very beautiful historical place. Admission is free. There is a service until 13:00 and they are not allowed in. After that, you can visit. I recommend this amazing beautiful place in Grodno to everyone

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Купалинка Купалинка

Level 7 Local Expert

Nicely. You can't go inside, it's a place for prayer, but if you have the nerve, like some people, you can. There's a guard walking around and chasing everyone, again selectively! Unpleasant. His goal is to show who's boss here. Tourist hospitality!

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Дмитрий Будник

Level 11 Local Expert

A historically beautiful and memorable place,one of the most ancient places in Belarus,I recommend visiting this place at least once,the scale and type of construction is impressive,very beautiful,I visited this Church for the first time,I was very impressed,there is a pharmacy museum nearby,but the museum is not large, but very interesting,you can buy handmade souvenirs works,herbal kits, gift teas, and much more, in general, I recommend it!:)

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Мария С.

Level 5 Local Expert

Disgusting attitude towards tourists. The guard at the entrance is rude and tyrannical. I wouldn't be surprised if the idea of hanging a chain and letting only worshippers in was his idea. The church is completely unprepared for tourism, which, thanks to the restoration in the city, will develop every year. No Catholic country has ever seen such restrictions in churches. There was a very unpleasant aftertaste from all this. By the way, we couldn't get into any churches in this city.

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Иван

Level 5 Local Expert

A beautiful church both inside and outside. On the front of the church you can observe another unique attraction - the oldest operating mechanical clock in Europe.

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юрий пузеркин

Level 14 Local Expert

I was like a tourist. There are signs everywhere that say "no tourists allowed." So you can't see everything. There was a sermon, first in some Polish, then in Russian. There aren't many people. Apparently, there are few Catholics in Grodno.

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Андрей Бурдаков

Level 8 Local Expert

It's a very beautiful place, I love these. Although the city is a tourist destination, tourists are viewed askance here if they are not guided. But it's still five.

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St. Francis Xavier Cathedral

846 reviews