The village of Selets. Onufriy Church.

The Church of St. Onuphrius was built in 1825 and has become an important spiritual center for local residents. Dedicated to Saint Onufry, who is depicted as the patron saint of monks and pilgrims, the church symbolized the faith and devotion of the community. It served not only as a place for worship, but also as an important cultural and social facility where various events were held.

The architectural style of the church belongs to the late Baroque style. Unfortunately, over time, the building fell into disrepair, and its ruins became a reminder of its former splendor. The remains of the walls and decorative elements have preserved the atmosphere of the past. The scale of the church is especially impressive: the belfry is five–tiered, with a high rusticated basement.

The destruction of the temple began in Soviet times. A gym was located here in those years.  Later, the temple building was abandoned and was not used. The temple lost its metal gable roof and gradually began to collapse and turn into ruins. 

Today, the ruins of the church and the remaining part of the wall of the Orthodox monastery remind us of the historical past and the ancient Orthodox monastery that existed on these lands earlier.

The ruins of the church of St. Onuphrius, unfortunately, are in disrepair, which raises concerns that this landmark may soon disappear from the tourist map. The ruined building retains its appeal, attracting tourists and photographers who want to capture the atmosphere and beauty of abandoned places.

For the villagers, the church of St. Onufriy remains a symbol of their history and culture.

The ruins of the Church of St. Onuphrius are a place that continues to tell its story, even in its ruined state. The preservation of this monument is important not only for the present, but also for future generations, so that they can remember and appreciate the cultural heritage of their homeland.

On the way from Krichev to Mstislavl in the village of Selets (formerly called Onufrievo), the tall multi-tiered bell tower of the church of the former St. Onufrievsky Monastery is visible from afar. Onufrievsky Monastery was considered one of the oldest in the east of Belarus, and according to legend was founded in 1407 by Mstislav Prince Lugveny Olgerdovich.

Legend has it that during Prince Lugveny's hunting in these places, when there were impenetrable forests and thickets, his son Prince Yuri got lost. And when Yuri began to pray fervently for salvation, Saint Onufriy appeared to him and showed him the way to the house. And on this occasion, Prince Lugveny founded an Orthodox monastery.

After a certain time, the shrine passed to the Uniates. Back in 1650, the monastery was assigned to the Smolensk Uniate Archbishopric, and later Onufrievo became the residence of the Smolensk Uniate bishops.

Until the end of the XVIII century, there was only one wooden church on the territory of the monastery, which has not survived to our time. There were 5 altars in the old church of St. Onufriy: the largest in honor of the Virgin. In this altar there was a wooden icon of the Mother of God from Nazareth with the date 4052 and an indication that it was a gift from Prince Lugveny-Semyon in 6915 (1407).

At the beginning of the 19th century, a brick church was built, which has survived to our time. It is a brick single-nave church with a semicircular apse, to which a 5-tier bell tower is attached from the main entrance. Previously, the nave and apse were covered with a gable roof. Now the shrine is in disrepair and is gradually being destroyed. The brick building of the monastery, located next to the church on the right, is also in disrepair.