Description of the attraction
Borisov stone (Boris Khlebnik) is one of the most ancient cultural monuments on the territory of the modern Republic of Belarus. It was found in the Zapadnaya Dvina River near the village of Padkastseltsy (5 km from Polotsk). In 1981, the stone was transported to Polotsk and installed at the St. Sophia Cathedral.
The stone is a huge boulder, presumably brought by a glacier from the territory of modern Finland. Red feldspar is about 8 meters in circumference and weighs over 70 tons. A six-pointed Christian cross and the inscription “ХС. Nika. GI (Lord) help your servant Boris."
Several such stones have been found. Most were embossed with Christian crosses and the name of Prince Boris.
There are several versions of the origin of the inscription on the stone. Scientists, ethnographers, historians cannot come to an agreement, but the most probable version seems to be that once all the boulders found in the river served for pagan rituals. The old faith never leaves without a trace, however, the young warlike Polotsk prince Boris, the son of Vseslav the Sorcerer, having adopted Christianity, began to resolutely fight all the pagan shrines. Therefore, he decided to even “christen” the ancient “bread” stones by knocking out Christian crosses on them.
At these stones, the pagans made sacrifices, asking for a fertile year and abundance of grain. There are legends among the people that because Boris "christened" the stones, the old gods took offense at the prince and punished the entire Polotsk region with a terrible famine, about which the old people told their grandchildren for a long time. They say that even now the Borisov stone fulfills cherished desires, returns love and health. Christians and pagans come here from the most remote regions to touch the mysterious shrine. Scientists continue to investigate the unusual properties of the stone.
The Borisov stone in Polotsk was miraculously preserved. In Soviet times, the new masters of life fought desperately against all religions and beliefs. Many stones were destroyed, split by a barbarian hand.
