RAJSK - St Peter and St Paul the Apostles Orthodox Church
ORTHODOX CHURCH
IN RAJSK
Rajsk also has an interesting history. The oldest historical records proving the activity of a parish on this land date back to the 16th century. The evidence from the 17th century describes the local Orthodox church. The village became an important place of the Marian devotion due to an interesting legend. In 1671 a picture of the Mother of God was to have manifested herself in the local forest. A local grange owner wanted to bring an icon for himself, but the cart pulled by oxen did not reach its destination. The animals stopped in Rajsk and would not go any further. It was considered to be a sign not to be ignored. Stołowacz-Głodek, as this was the name of the grange owner, decided to build an Orthodox church on this spot and place the picture there. The church was named the Suffering Mother of God. According to historical records, the miraculous icon was to have remained there until the second decade of the 20th century. Then, during bieżeństwo, i.e. mass migration of East Orthodox population to Russia, the picture went missing. Until today it is not known where it went and whether it still exists.
In the meantime, the charming bleu Orthodox church, which ended in Rajsk in 1962, recalls through its colour Marian innocence, but above all the closeness of God and heaven. When Orthodox churches are painted blue, they are thus symbolically brought closer to the Divine plan. Interestingly enough, between the Operation “Vistula” and the moving to Rajsk, the church was not used as such, but the building was used to store manure. It was not really surprising as the communist authorities often showed this way their negative attitude towards religious institutions.
Today, fortunately, the old tragedies are a thing of the past and the church can welcome the faithful for service again. The rich polychrome interior raises admiration to the same extent as the light body of the building, together with its tin roofs and bulbous cupola surmounting the towers.
RAJSK - St Peter and St Paul the Apostles Orthodox Church
COFUNDED BY THE MINISTER OF CULTURE AND NATIONAL HERITAGE
ORIGINATING FROM CULTURE PROMOTION FUND