OLCHOWIEC - Orthodox Church of the Translation of the Relics of St Nicholas

The church that we are inviting our readers to, was built in Olchowiec in 1934. It replaced the previous church, which served the faithful since 1792. The sources do not agree whether the old Orthodox church was built here or moved from a different village.

3D WALK History

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ORTHODOX CHURCH

OLCHOWIEC

Olchowiec is a small village in the Dukla commune. According to historical records, it was founded in the middle of the 16th century. Originally, it belonged to the Wojszyk family, later it was purchased by the Stadnicki family. Today it is known throughout Poland due to the Lemkos kermesse i.e. meetings of the Lemkos community. This East Slavic ethnic group was a very important element of local communities over the centuries. However, after World War 2, they were deported to other territories due to the infamous Operation Vistula. The Lemkos were deported to the Ukrainian Soviet Socialist Republic and mainly to the Western Territories (among others Lower Silesia, Gdansk and Western Pomerania, Greater Poland, Warmia and Masuria). In the second half of the fifties, some Lemkos tried to return to their land, but many families were “uprooted” forever.

The Orthodox Church of the Translation of the Relics of St Nicholas is precisely connected with the Lemkos community. This is an example of a classic Lemkos-style church: made of wood on a stone foundation, a tripartite body with a women’s gallery, a nave and a sanctuary. Interestingly enough, the Orthodox church in Olchowiec boasts beautiful stained-glass windows. Its stunning iconostasis is composed of images brought from other Orthodox churches, which have not lasted until our times.

The church that we are inviting our readers to, was built in Olchowiec in 1934. It replaced the previous church, which served the faithful since 1792. The sources do not agree whether the old Orthodox church was built here or moved from a different village.

A turbulent fate awaited the new church: World War 2 brought about a lot of destruction caused by shelling. The attempts to save this place were interrupted by the aforementioned deportations within the Operation Vistula. In the forties, the church’s equipment was gradually stolen away, as the faithful or the priests were not able to look after it. The next decade brought the handover to Roman Catholics and the attempt of communist authorities to dismantle the church. Fortunately, the concerned local community did not allow it to happen and the church was saved. Since the second half of the fifies, the faithful of two rites prayed in here: the Roman and Greek Catholics. However, Greek Catholic service did not return here until 1987. Also, at the same time a new iconostasis was installed. In the 21st century the church returned under the jurisdiction of the Greek Catholic vladyka in Przemyśl. Until this day the two Catholic denominations pray in this church.

When visiting the church, it is worth paying attention to the stone bridge, which takes you there. Also, in the near vicinity there is a scenic cemetery. The area around the Orthodox church is surrounded by an old wall made of stone from the 18th century with inscriptions on it. Their translation can be read on the board to the left side of the wall.