Polotsk. Spaso-Efrosinievsky Monastery.

For 45 years, St. Euphrosyne lived at the monastery. During this period of time, the temple became the main place of enlightenment of the Polotsk land. At that time, the monastery had a large library, an icon painting workshop, and a small parish school.

Since the foundation of the monastery, its owners have changed frequently, and it has repeatedly changed hands. It was only in the first half of the 19th century that the monastery was returned to the Orthodox. After that, a new period of active development began for the temple. The building was completely renovated, and the women's theological school at the monastery resumed its work. At the same time, the Cross of Euphrosyne, which she had donated to the temple, returned to the walls of the monastery.

The cross of Euphrosyne was made in the form of a six-pointed cross with a height of 51.8 centimeters. The base of the cross was made of cypress. 21 gold and 20 silver plates were attached to the front and back surfaces of the cross. The cross was decorated with precious stones and ornaments, which gave it a special value.

However, the horrors of the post-revolutionary period were replaced by the active activity of the temple. Already in 1921, the Euphrosyne convent was closed, and the cross was requisitioned. Even the relics of the saint were opened and sent to Moscow for an atheist exhibition. In 1943, the relics of the saint were returned to the walls of the temple, and the monastery continued its active work until 1960. After that, the church was closed again and remained in this condition until 1989, when the doors of the church reopened to parishioners.

The central place in the monastery complex is given to the Church of the Transfiguration. The inside of the church is decorated with frescoes from the 12th century. For the 900th anniversary of the Spaso-Efrosinyevsky Convent, which will be celebrated in 2025, comprehensive restoration work is underway here.

In 1161, Euphrosyne donated a gilded jewelry cross to this temple, created by her order by master Lazar Bogsha. However, the cross was lost during the Patriotic War. In 1997, a copy of the cross was made, which is now kept in the Transfiguration Church and is shown to those who wish at certain times.

On the territory there is the Exaltation of the Cross Cathedral, built in 1897, the winter church of St. Euphrosyne from 1847, as well as buildings built in the 18th-20th centuries.

The temple was badly damaged during the war years, but after the restoration of the residential buildings, refectory, and bell tower in 1992, the monastery again became the center of the spiritual life of the city.

When visiting this region, you should definitely visit here to touch the history of the Polotsk land and see a monument of ancient architecture and frescoes of the 12th century. Beautiful architecture, a fertile place with well-groomed grounds. It is quiet here and you can hide from the bustle of the world for a while.

Every year on June 5, on the day of remembrance of Saint Euphrosyne, who is considered the patroness of Belarus, festive services are held.