Orsha. St. Leonid's Church.

Saint Leonid, who lived in the 16th century, left a deep mark on the history of Orthodoxy as the founder of the temple on the banks of the Luza river. According to the surviving manuscripts, he led a peasant life for more than half a century, engaged in agriculture. However, a recurring prophetic dream that he had year after year prompted him to go in search of the icon of the Most Holy Theotokos Hodegetria. Having found the shrine, he received the approval of the metropolitan and erected a temple in her honor. Blessed Leonid lived to be 105 years old, was canonized and is still revered by believers.

The architecture of the temple combines elements of ancient Russian architecture and Art Nouveau. The building stands out with tall, narrow arched windows, a medium-sized silver onion dome, and a square-shaped prayer hall stretched vertically. The exterior design is laconic: the snow-white facades are devoid of stucco, and in their decoration there are only bright green contour lines in harmony with the color of the roof.

The history of the cathedral is closely connected with the image of St. Leonid, who, starting from a simple peasant life, acquired a spiritual mission, followed the sign and devoted his life to the service of God. For centuries, his image has inspired believers, and the temple consecrated in his honor has become a place of spiritual attraction, uniting the traditions of the Belarusian religious culture.