Velikaya Krakotka. The Church of the Nativity of the Virgin.

There is a place called Velikaya Krakotka in the Slonim district. There are several monuments of architecture and antiquity in this village. It will take you half a day, or maybe a whole day, to see all the interesting places.

On a hill on the edge of Velikaya Krakotka stands an unusual stone temple, which is visible from afar among the thickets of the forest. The temple is like a stone fairy-tale castle in front of you on a hill. There is a paved road leading to it, which is made of stone. But this road was made quite recently. But the church itself has a long history. The Orthodox Church of the Nativity of the Virgin was built in 1883 in a retrospective Russian style.

After the Great Patriotic War in Soviet times, the temple was closed and the room was adapted for a local club. In 1991, the church was renovated and restored. Services began to be held.

A couple of years later, a new Orthodox monastery began to be established next to the church. The building of the former school, which is located near the church, was transferred to the monastery premises.

And here the "brotherhood" of the Holy Dormition Zhirovichi Monastery began its work. After some time, an Orthodox monastery was established here, and in the summer of 2005, Archbishop Guriy of Novogrudok and Lida consecrated the house church in honor of the Solovetsky Wonderworkers. And soon the relics of Saints Zosimus, Savvatius and Herman were brought here. Gradually, monastic ministry began to be established at the monastery.

In 2005 – 2007, the Church of the Nativity of the Virgin was renovated. In the summer of 2009, by the decision of the Holy Synod of the Belarusian Orthodox Church, St. Zosimo–Savvatievsky Monastery was officially opened in the village of Velikaya Krakotka. And in the spring of 2010, a list of the miraculous icon of the Most Holy Theotokos "Skoroposlushnitsa" was brought from the holy Mount Athos to the monastery.

It is believed that the Church of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Velikaya Krakotka was built in 1883. However, according to other sources, only reconstruction was carried out at that time, giving the temple the character of a retrospective Russian style, whereas its initial construction took place in the 18th century. Initially, the church was Uniate.

The temple is not particularly distinguished by the abundance of external decorations. Its main decor is a combination of rubble stone used in the walls with plastered inserts. Onion heads are located on the main part of the building and the three-tiered bell tower, as well as a front gate and a stone fence.

In 1959-1961, at the height of the persecution of the church, the church was closed and used as a club. The church property was looted, and by the end of the 1980s, only ruins remained. The temple has been inactive for 30 years.… 

In 1990-1991, it was restored, spiritual life returned, and then the creation of a monastery next to the school began. The St. Zosimo-Savvatievsky monastery originates from this temple.

In the period from 2005 to 2007, major repairs were carried out at the Church of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, and in the summer of 2009, St. Zosimo-Savvatievsky Monastery was opened at it.

The temple contains a list of the miraculous icon of the Blessed Virgin Mary "The Quick-Hearer", written by monks and brought from Mount Athos. Believers strive to get to this temple to see this rare icon. The church also houses the holy relics of Saints Savvati and Herman.

Not far from the monastery, in a pine forest, on the banks of the Jordanka creek, a healing spring has been making its way out of the sand for more than a hundred years, revered by the people since ancient times. It was consecrated in honor of the holy Forerunner and Baptist of the Lord John. Prayer services are held at this spring.