The Red Church - the heart of the Belarusian capital

Let's go on a tour to the very heart of the Belarusian capital. The Neo-Gothic church in the center of Minsk's main square is one of the symbols of the city. The church was planned in the Neo-Romantic style with the elements of Gothic and Secession. The building accommodates 2500 worshippers. Many of the city citizens nickname the Church of Saints Simon and Helena - Red because of the brick color. It is considered to be one of the most recognizable religious buildings in Minsk. The church has a rich and heroic history: it was built in the early 20th century on the initiative and with the help of the donations of the public figure Edward Woyniłłowicz.

On September 25, 1906 the cornerstone of the future church was solemnly consecrated. Four years later, the multi-tiered tower-belfry of the new church towered over the city. It became a symbol of the revived Catholic religion and elevated the crosses to the highest point in Minsk at that time. Even the crosses of the 18th century churches, when Minsk was a city of Catholic monasteries, were not of such a height.

Besides, the Red Church became the biggest one in the city. And it received its name after Saints Simon and Helena, in commemoration of the patron's children, who passed away very early. In 1932, the Soviet authorities closed the church and even wanted to tear it down. But the good acoustics of the church allowed to place the BSSR Polish theatre and later a cinema studio under its roof. Since 1975 the Cinema House was situated there. The Cinema Museum was located in the highest tower there; its main room could seat two halls for 250 people each. It was not until the early 1990s that the temple had been returned to the Catholic Church.

Crosses were again erected on the towers, and paintings were cleared on the vaults and in the presbytery. A system of underground rooms united the entire area between the church and the parish house. Nowadays, the chapel of Mother of God of Budslau, a big library and halls are situated there. In 1996, the first Synod of the Roman Catholic Church in the history of Belarus started its work there. In honour of this very event a bronze figure of Archangel Michael appeared in front of the entrance to the church. With his spear he pierces the winged serpent. It is a symbol of the victory of the heaven over the power of darkness. The author of the composition, the total height of which is 4.5 meters, is I. Golubev.

A few years later, in 2000, another memorial, "The Nagasaki Bell", appeared there as well, reminding everyone of the victims of nuclear disasters that have ever happened in the world. In 2006, the remains of the church's founder, Edward Woyniłłowicz, were reburied in the church.

Today the Church of Saints Simon and Helena is included in all the sightseeing itineraries in Belarus. It is one of the greatest monuments of architecture of the 20th century and one of the landmarks of the city, the memorable place that every tourist should definitely visit.

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