Kupyatichi and their main shrine: the history of St. Nicholas Church and the ancient image

It is believed that the first Orthodox church was built here in the XII century. This happened after the miraculous acquisition of the image of the Mother of God, which eventually became known as Kupyatsky.

Tradition says that in 1182 the shrine was discovered in the forest by a girl Anna, who was herding cattle nearby. I wanted to take the icon home, but... nothing came of it: the image of the Virgin returned to its former place in the forest. Then in Kupyatich decided to build a temple, which would become a home for the icon.

“Gives light and virtuous power,” the villagers said of their shrine. The image is made in an unusual technique - in the form of a copper cross. On one side is depicted the Virgin with the Child, and on the right and left of her – Joachim and Anna, on the back – the Crucifixion of Christ.

The miracles revealed by the Kupyatitsa icon are described a lot – from intercession to healing from serious ailments. It is known that in 1240 the village along with the temple was burned by the Tatars. But what was the surprise of the survivors, when in the ashes they found a miraculous image!

In the first half of the XVII century, the Saint-Vvedensky Transfiguration Monastery was founded in Kupyatichy. With this monastery is closely intertwined the life of the Monk Martyrs Athanasius of Brest and Makari Kanevsky. Alas, by the end of the XVII century (a very difficult time in terms of religious confrontation on our lands) the monastery was captured by the Uniates and began to lose its former glory. From about that period, the original of the Kupyatitsa icon was kept in the St. Sophia Cathedral of Kiev. And although in the XIX century the Orthodox residents of Kupyatich asked to return the shrine, they were refused. And in the God-fighting 1920s, the image completely disappeared.

What about Kupyatichi? In 1892, a new church was built here in honor of St. Nicholas. The spacious four-case church is a bright example of Polesie wooden architecture. She never closed her doors in front of her family. Today you can pray at the exact list of miraculous images made in the XVII century. By the way, November 28 is celebrated the day of memory of the Kupyatsky icon. Why not go on a pilgrimage to the most ancient shrine of Belarus?

infong@sb.by