Zhirovichi. Epiphany Church.

The Epiphany Church in Zhirovichi, also known as the St. James Church or the Church of the Nativity, is a monument of architecture in the Baroque style. In the 16th century, there was a wooden temple on this site, which later gave way to a more monumental building.

The Epiphany Church is one of the oldest and best preserved buildings of the Zhirovichi Monastery. It has a special significance, as it was erected on the site of the second finding of the famous Zhirovichi icon of the Mother of God. This miraculous icon, which was previously located in an old wooden church, disappeared during a fire in 1520, but was found on a hillside nearby. It was there that the temple was subsequently built, preserving the memory of the shrine.

The reconstruction of the church was completed in 1796. During this period, late Baroque elements such as a figured pediment and attic were added to the building. Later, at the end of the 19th century, the exterior of the temple underwent changes: it acquired the features of a pseudo-Russian style, including an onion head, which became its recognizable element.

Today, the church belongs to the type of single-hall rectangular churches without towers. Its facade is made in the form of a shield protruding beyond the main volume. The interior is impressive: the top of the vault is decorated with the image of the Appearance of the Mother of God, and the altar part, which occupies half of the interior space, preserves the stone of the Virgin, which became the holy see. This stone is associated with the finding of the lost Zhirovichi icon, which gives the temple a special significance for believers.

Throughout its history, the Epiphany Church has attracted pilgrims and believers, remaining a part of the famous Zhirovichi Monastery and preserving the spiritual heritage of Belarus.