St. Mihail church in Synkovichi

History of the Synkavichy Church of St. Michael

According to tradition, the future Grand Duke of Lithuania Vytautas, having escaped from Kreva Castle, hid near Slonim in a small Prussian fortress on an islet between the branches of the Bereza stream. After gaining power, he ordered it to be rebuilt as a castle-church. The consecration took place around 1407 in the presence of Vytautas and his family.

From the 17th century the parish went through a period of union with Rome, and after the Polotsk Council of 1839 returned to the Orthodox Church. In the second half of the 19th century the rector Yawstafiy Mikhaylowski began repairs, erected a bell tower, and left studies on the history of the church. He also described ancient graffiti from the 13th–14th centuries.

In the 20th century the Synkavichy Church of St. Michael was closed and used as a warehouse, but from the 1990s it began to be returned to the community and underwent a lengthy restoration.

Architecture and spiritual life of the church

The Synkavichy church is a typical castle-church (fortified temple): powerful walls, corner towers, minimal openings, and a combination of Gothic forms with a Byzantine layout. The new iconostasis and kiots (icon cases) stand alongside restored fragments of the old walls.

The church’s acoustics are striking: thanks to the special vaults and the cross-shaped “resonators” built into them, no microphones or amplifiers are needed here. The sound is even at any point and seems to pour from above.

Parish life has been restored: services and parish events are held regularly.

The Church of St. Archangel Michael — a testimony to a miracle

The Church of St. Archangel Michael preserves not only centuries of history but also a testimony to a miracle — the wonder-working icon of the Mother of God “Pantanassa” (“Queen of All”), which has become a source of hope and healing for many. The original icon of the “Pantanassa,” created in the 17th century, is kept on Mount Athos at the Vatopedi Monastery. The icon depicts the Theotokos, surrounded by archangels, holding the Christ Child on her knees.

Excursions with a visit to the church

Excursions that include a visit to the Church of St. Archangel Michael help you to understand more deeply the history and spiritual culture of the region and offer special impressions from ancient architecture in a picturesque rural setting.

You can visit the Church of St. Archangel Michael as part of individual excursions from Minsk: Slonim — Zhirovichi — Synkavichy, Hrodna Round-the-Region Tour (5 days). By choosing a convenient date and format and selecting a suitable route, you will discover the cultural and spiritual traditions of the Hrodna Region and become acquainted not only with the history of the Church of St. Archangel Michael but also with other sights of the area.