Description of the attraction
The Cathedral of the Holy Martyr Barbara in Pinsk is part of the former Bernardine monastery, founded in 1705 by Prince Mikhail Vishnevetsky and his wife Catherine.
In 1717, a wooden monastery was built for the Bernardine monks, which included the Church of Michael the Archangel. The monastery flourished and expanded rapidly. There were dwellings for monks, outbuildings, the monastery was buried in beautiful apple orchards, which were looked after by hardworking monks. In 1770 a new stone church was laid. Its consecration took place on January 13, 1787.
After the transfer of the Belarusian lands to the Russian Empire, after unsuccessful national liberation uprisings, Catholic monasteries and churches were closed. In 1864, the Church of St. Michael the Archangel, transferred to the Orthodox community, was rebuilt. Domes were erected over it, and the interior decoration also changed. The church was consecrated in honor of the holy Martyr Barbara.
In our time, the Varvara Church has become a cathedral. It houses an Orthodox shrine, the miraculous icon of the Mother of God "Hodegetria of Jerusalem". The church also houses an icon of St. Barbara with particles of her relics.
At the Varvara Church in Pinsk there is an Orthodox youth center dedicated to the education and upbringing of the younger generation. There is also a Sunday school and an Orthodox library.
An Orthodox sisterhood was organized at the Cathedral of St. Barbara in honor of the Great Martyr Grand Duchess Elizabeth. Sisters take care of patients in cancer and drug treatment centers. They recently secured a prayer room in a correctional facility.
