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Pilgrimage trip of parishioners to holy and memorable placestranslated

July 6, 2026 · 1 min read

July 3, Independence Day of the Republic of Belarus gave pilgrims from the parish of the Cathedral of Christ the Savior in the city of Lida a lot of light and deep meanings. The believers, together with the rector of the parish of the church, Archpriest Maxim Tsigel, walked along the route of memory and prayer along the route: Lida - Slonim - Ruzhany - Pruzhany - Rusakovo village, Slonim district - Holy Dormition Zhirovichi Monastery - Lida.

In the city of Slonim we were warmly welcomed at the Annunciation Mother of God Convent. And in the Spaso-Preobrazhensky Cathedral in Slonim, the custodian of the cathedral, Archpriest Andrei Tsigel, spoke so heartfeltly about the history of the church that every word resonated in the heart. We also looked into the Church of the Holy Great Martyr George the Victorious in Ag. Porechye, Slonim district, whose rector is Archpriest Andrei Tsigel, who restored the church from ruins in almost two years - there is a special, homely grace here.

The city of Ruzhany greeted us with the palace of the Sapieha family - here the greatness of the past seemed to speak through the stones to the present. And the story of Archpriest Mikhail Nosko, dean of the churches of the Pruzhany district, revived the pages of the history of the cathedral in honor of the holy noble prince...

Source: Site: Лидская епархия · Read the full story →

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Νίκη Βασιλείου

Thanks for the description. I especially liked that Father Andreas Tsigel undertook to almost single-handedly rebuild the church of St. George from the ruins in two years – this shows real faith and perseverance. What was the atmosphere like inside the church when you visited it?

Dušan Obradović

Yes, father Andrey Cigel is a good man, he raised the church of St. George from the ruins for two years almost single-handedly, this is really impressive. When we went to Poreč, there was really a very quiet, homely atmosphere there, like in an old village church. Thanks for the story, especially for Žirovići at the end of the route — it's always worth going there.

Світлана Коваленко

Yes, Father Andriy Tsigel is really a good man, who in two years almost raised the church of St. George from the ruins. In Poreč, one really felt that warm, homely grace, as if in an old village church. And what do you think of the Zhirovytskyi monastery this time, there were many people?

Илья Смирнов

Father Andrei Tsigel is really a great guy, he raised the church from ruins almost single-handedly in two years. In Porechye, it was also very quiet and homely, as if in the village church of childhood. And in Zhirovichi this time the crowd was moderate; after lunch we calmly prayed at the miraculous icon.

Христина Петренко

Yes, Father Andriy really built the church almost single-handedly in two years, and in Poreč you feel as if you are walking into an old grandmother's house - calmly and homely. There were a lot of people in Zhirovychy this time, especially near the miraculous icon, but we had time to pray without haste. Do you go there often?

Sophia Walker

Отец Андрей Цигель действительно молодец, почти в одиночку за два года поднял храм святого Георгия из руин. Когда читала про Поречье, сразу вспомнила, как мы в прошлом году заезжали в похожую маленькую церковь под Гродно — такая же тихая, будто домой попал. А в Жировичах в этот раз, судя по вашим словам, народу было в самый раз, чтобы спокойно помолиться у иконы.

Василь Олійник

Yes, Father Andriy really quickly raised the church, I also paid attention to how everything was done there humanely. There were a lot of people in Zhirovychy this time, especially near the spring, but we had time to approach the icon and sit in the monastery garden. And you, Svitlana, what do you remember most from this trip?

Ірина Шевченко

Yes, Father Andrii is really a good man who raised the church from the ruins in two years - in Poreč, it really is like walking into a grandmother's house, quiet and cozy. In Zhirovychy, we also stood near the icon for a long time, even though there were many people. And when was the last time you went there, Khrystyna?

Константин Козлов

Yes, Ilya, Father Andrei is a real hard worker, I also heard him say that in the first months he was almost alone with the workers. In Porechye, I had exactly the same feeling - like in my grandmother’s village church, where the candles crackle and it’s quiet. And in Zhirovichi it was really calm after lunch; we also stood at the icon without a crowd. Will you go next time?

Сергій Шевченко

Yes, Iryna, Father Andriy really built the church in two years - in Poreč, it was as if he entered his own house, quietly and homely. My wife and I were last in Zhirovychy last year at the beginning of summer, and we stood by that icon for a long time, even though there were quite a few people. Do you go there often?

Dragan Marković

I agree, Father Andrej is a really hardworking man. That church in Poreč now seems as if it has always been there, and not built from ruins in two years. Have you been to Žirovići before this tour or was this your first time?

Emily Bennett

Father Andrew really did an amazing job with that church in Porechye. I was struck by how he restored it almost single-handedly in just two years, the same way you described that little one near Grodno feeling like home. Did you manage to light a candle at the Zhirovichi icon this time, or was the crowd still a bit much even then?

Nicholas Morris

Yes, Father Andrew's work in Porechye really stands out — turning those ruins into such a warm, lived-in place in under two years is impressive. I did manage to light a candle at the Zhirovichi icon this time; the crowd was steady but not overwhelming like on big feast days. Have you been back to that little church near Grodno since?

Grace Bennett

Yes, Father Andrew really turned that place around quickly — the quiet, homely feel hits you the moment you step in. I lit a candle at the Zhirovichi icon too; it felt calmer than I expected for a holiday. Haven’t made it back to the little church near Grodno yet — what drew you there last?