Description of the attraction
The Spaso-Euphrosyne Monastery in Polotsk is an ancient Orthodox monastery, the creator and abbess of which was the legendary Saint Euphrosyne of Polotsk.
Euphrosyne (Predislava in the world) was the daughter of Prince Svyatoslav-George and Princess Sophia. The princess grew up as a book child who adored old books and church wisdom. She was famous for her beauty and intelligence. In 1120, being only 12 years old, she went to a monastery, secretly from her father, who wanted to marry her off. Then, having seen three prophetic dreams about the Church of the Holy Savior, standing in Selts, she went to this holy place and founded a monastery there. Miraculously, through the prayers of Abbess Euphrosyne, the Church of the All-Merciful Savior was built in just 30 weeks.
Euphrosyne of Polotsk ordered the jeweler Lazar Bogsha a precious altar cross-ark, decorated in the Byzantine manner with pearls and precious stones. The cross contained particles of the Cross, on which Christ was crucified with a drop of the Blood of the Lord, small pieces of stones of the Holy Sepulcher and the Holy Sepulcher, as well as particles of the relics of Orthodox saints. This sacred relic was kept in the monastery and attracted thousands of pilgrims who left generous donations to the monastery.
During her lifetime, Euphrosyne of Polotskaya made her monastery and hometown a flourishing center of arts, enlightenment, literacy and divine wisdom.
In 1563, when Polotsk was besieged by Ivan the Terrible, the golden times of Polotsk ended. Soon in 1579, the city was taken by the troops of Stephen Batory, the monastery was plundered and given to the Jesuits.
Only in 1833 the monastery was returned to the Orthodox Church. It was soon restored. The sisters settled in the monastery. In 1928 the monastery was plundered and closed. He worked for a very short time during the occupation of Polotsk by Nazi troops. True, during the occupation the precious cross of Euphrosyne of Polotsk mysteriously disappeared. Nothing is known about his whereabouts to this day. During the Soviet era, the monastery was closed.
Today, the revival of the monastery began in 1989, when the monastery buildings were returned to the Orthodox Church. Now, as in ancient times, 9 centuries ago, the Spaso-Euphrosyne Monastery is a flourishing spiritual center of Belarus. The Cross of Saint Euphrosyne was recreated from sketches. Now a copy of it is kept in the Spaso-Euphrosyne Monastery and sometimes travels to Belarusian cities, blessing them for prosperity.
