Church of Paraskeva Pyatnitsa in Chernovchicy

The Church of Paraskeva Pyatnitsa in Chernavchitsy is an 18th-century monument of wooden vernacular architecture located in the agro-town of Chernavchitsy, Brest District, Brest Region. Built in 1733, it is one of the few surviving authentic four-log cross-shaped churches that were once widespread across Belarus.

History

The church was built in 1733 out of wood and underwent reconstruction in the 1860s. In 1987, the church suffered from a fire that destroyed its dome, roof, and the 1830s iconostasis. A tall pointed spire, inconsistent with the church’s original Baroque form, was constructed in place of the dome.

Architecture

The church in Chernavchitsy is a cross-shaped log structure elongated along the longitudinal axis due to the pentagonal apse with low side sacristies and a small vestibule under a gabled roof. The prayer hall is extended in width to form a small transept, externally marked by shield-like panels. The center of the intersecting gable roofs is topped with a decorative multi-tiered dome. The building's verticality is emphasized by wooden siding, tie beams, rusticated corner pilasters, and double rectangular window openings. The triangular pediment of the main façade is decorated with ornamental cladding.

Inside the prayer hall, which has a flat ceiling, there is a choir loft above the vestibule. The apse features a carved wooden iconostasis created in 1987. The church also houses the icon “Miracle of George and the Dragon” from 1729.

Cultural and Historical Significance

The Church of Paraskeva Pyatnitsa in Chernavchitsy is a monument of vernacular architecture with Baroque elements. It is listed in the State Register of Historical and Cultural Values of the Republic of Belarus and is an important part of the cultural heritage of the Brest Region.

Excursions and Visiting

The church is located in the agro-town of Chernavchitsy, Brest District, and is part of religious and cultural tourism routes in the Brest Region. It can be visited during excursions from Brest and other cities in the region. You can also book an individual or corporate tour with a visit to the Church of Paraskeva Pyatnitsa in Chernavchitsy, along with other landmarks of the Brest District.