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Pilgrimage to the shrines of the agricultural town of Saryatranslated

July 9, 2026 · 1 min read

With the blessing of the rector, Archpriest Alexander Shakhovich, on July 8, on the day of remembrance of the faithful Prince Peter and Princess Fevronia of Murom, a pilgrimage took place from the parish of the Church of St. Michael the Archangel in Novopolotsk to the shrines of the agricultural town of Sarya.

Every year on this day, celebrations dedicated to family, love and fidelity are held in Sarya. Pilgrims from different parts of Belarus come there to pray at the Divine Liturgy, venerate the holy icon with particles of the relics of the holy blessed Prince Peter and Princess Fevronia of Murom, and also remember Ignatius and Maria Lopatinsky, whose love story remained frozen in the unique neo-Gothic Church of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary. The special subtlety, lacy grace, and external fragility of this church capture the tremulous tender feelings for loved ones and the full weight of grief from their early departure from this world.

In 2011, a monument to Saints Peter and Fevronia of Murom, the heavenly patrons of the family, was erected in front of the Assumption Church. The author of the sculptural composition is Vitebsk architect and sculptor Alexander Gvozdikov.

The festive service on this day was led by the dean of the Verhnedvinsk church district, Archpriest...

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Сергей Макаров

It’s good that people come to Sarya every year on this day. It’s interesting how the Lopatinskys left their history in this neo-Gothic church - it’s so fragile, but it’s been standing for more than a century. Last year I also wanted to go, but work didn’t work out, so this year I’ll try to get out.

Весна Николовска

Good thing that every year on the day of Peter and Fevronia they organize a pilgrimage from Novopolotsk. The Lopatinskis really left a beautiful memory in that Neo-Gothic church, one can imagine how they built it with so much love, and then they parted so early. I will also try to go some year, especially now that I am retired and have time.

Пётр Богданов

The church in Sarya has indeed stood for more than a century, although it looks so light, like lace. Last year I drove past in a truck and stopped to look at the monument to Peter and Fevronia - a simple sculpture, but to the point. Maybe this year I’ll go to the liturgy, since they’re organizing it from Novopolotsk.

Тамара Семёнова

The church in Sarya is really so light, like lace, although it has stood for more than a century. Last year I was just baking cherry pies for Peter and Fevronia’s Day, and now I’m thinking, maybe next time I should get together with my neighbor and travel from Novopolotsk. It’s interesting how the Lopatinskys put their love into these walls.

Ксения Соловьёва

Yes, Peter, the church really is like a lace one, I, too, am surprised every time how it has stood for so many years. Last year, my husband and I attended a liturgy in Sarya, and after the service we approached the monument - it’s really simple, but very sincere. Do you often drive a truck along that road?

Любовь Морозова

Yes, Ksenia, the church really looks like it’s made of lace—it’s breathtaking how it’s been standing for more than a century. Last year we also stood at the monument after the liturgy, my five-year-old son kept asking why they were together. And I drive a truck along that road almost every week when I go to Verkhnedvinsk to the hospital.

Marija Lukić

The church in Sarya really looks like lace, and it has been standing for more than a century. Last year, I baked cakes for the day of Peter and Fevronia, so I didn't make it, but this year I will try to make it with my neighbor from Novopolotsk. It is interesting how the Lopatinskis built their love and sadness there.

Василий Орлов

Yes, Ksenia, this church really is like lace, you’re amazed at how long it has withstood. I also like the monument - simple, without unnecessary things, but when you stand next to it, you really think about the family. And I drive a truck along that road a couple of times a month, when I transport cargo to Verkhnedvinsk, the road there is calm.

Елена Васильева

Thank you, Lyubov, it’s good that my son is already asking about this at the age of five - it means it’s stuck in his head. But this was my first time in Sarya, and it’s true that the church seemed to be woven from a web. I often drive along the same road, only in the other direction, to my place in Rostov.