A new church will appear in Volyntsy, Verkhnedvinsk district

The settlement of Volyntsy in the Verkhnedvinsk district, located a couple of kilometers from the Polotsk – Latvian Republic border road, is famous for its history. Once it was a trading village, where people from all over gathered for a traditional fair. And above the market bustle rose a majestic temple – a work of art of the Vilna Baroque. The Zabelsky Dominican Church, consecrated in 1756, was 60 meters high, stood on a hill, and it is said that in good weather its domes were visible from Drissa (Verkhnedvinsk) itself. A monastery and a Jesuit collegium were located next to the church. Here, in the first half of the 19th century, a theater was created, and Volyntsy, in addition to being a business center, began to be called a cultural and educational center. The town also housed the Orthodox Church of the Dormition of the Mother of God (1893) and a Jewish prayer house. In a word, people walked under God, the town was sanctified by numerous prayers, confessions, and communions.

…The magnificent church was destroyed in the 20th century in the post-war period. The church met the same fate. Today, Volyntsy is a small, well-maintained agro-town with a fairly developed social infrastructure. The main attraction is the museum named after a famous countryman, geographer and geologist Ivan Chersky. It is he who opens the pages of the past to us. Here are also located models of churches that once adorned the settlement. A landscape with the Zabelsky Church can be seen in the drawings of the famous artist Napoleon Orda. Several surviving pre-war buildings are witnesses to the glorious history. One of them is destined to find a new life today.

In the 1990s, an ordinary old building was transferred to the Polotsk Diocese for divine services, but they were held rarely, as there was neither heating nor appropriate conditions. Believers traveled to services in churches either in Verkhnedvinsk or Polotsk. This continued until two years ago, when Father Vladimir, the rector of the Pridvinsk-Borovskaya Church of the Verkhnedvinsk district, was assigned to Volyntsy and the surrounding settlements. He began to visit the agro-town frequently, communicate with people, and was invited for confession and baptism, which were performed right at home. Then the clergyman realized that the residents needed a church abode, and it was necessary to build a temple. He consulted with representatives of the district authorities, the Polotsk Diocese, the heads of local enterprises, and parishioners – everyone unanimously approved the idea and assured their help with finances and labor resources. In particular, Natalia Khalanskaya, director of Volynetsky PMS, Vasily Krasnik, head of OAO “Prudinki”, Andrey Shater, head of “Antonovo-Agro”, Vladimir Korsun, head of “Sokolovshchina”, and Mikhail Semenov, head of “Polotskselstroy”, who is originally from Volyntsy.

According to the project, an ancient red brick building, which once housed a Jewish school, will be reconstructed into a church. A gilded dome and cross have already been purchased: the entrepreneur Mikhail Kaskovich, whose business is located outside the district, but who was born in Volyntsy and whose parents live here, provided assistance. Mikhail assured that he would also take care of the purchase of the iconostasis. Employees of local enterprises are involved in the repair of the building and interior work. Support is provided by the village and district Soviets of Deputies, the district executive committee, and, of course, the residents of the agro-town themselves. "We are building the church together, as it should be," says Father Vladimir.

The appearance of a church in Volyntsy is a very important event. First of all, it is a return to the roots, as there was once more than one temple here. Moreover, faith in God unites people, helps them find solutions to difficult situations, and gives hope. This topic was discussed with the head of the Volyntsy village executive committee, Nadezhda Lipovskaya.

"We have started inviting Father Vladimir to the meetings of the council of public law and order points, where he talks with offenders, antisocial individuals, and those who abuse alcohol. Joint preventive work is yielding results, a positive trend is noticeable, although there is still work to be done. The church will help us in this," believes Nadezhda Petrovna.

The number of intoxicated people here has indeed decreased, noted the chairperson of the Verkhnedvinsk District Council of Deputies, Irina Kozel, who constantly tours settlements as part of commissions and raids. And this, Irina Frantsevna believes, is a merit of the correctly chosen regional policy.

– Social aspects of life in Volyntsy are improving: the House of Culture with a capacity of 350 seats, a hospital, a school, a kindergarten have been renovated, there is a gym at the PMS, a new store has recently opened, and the streets have been improved. In addition, working conditions are becoming more comfortable, primarily due to the reconstruction of dairy farms. OJSC "Prudinki", where many local residents work, is one of the strongest farms in the district, a complex reconstruction is underway there, and the machinery fleet is constantly being updated. Accordingly, people hold onto their jobs and do not allow themselves to get drunk. Although, unfortunately, there are still exceptions. But overall, decent working conditions, the development of the social sphere, and the revival of spirituality are bearing fruit, – believes Irina Frantsevna.

Olga Maslovskaya, "Vitebskiye Vesti"