Church of St. Simeon and Helen. St Andrew's Anglican Church
History of origin Red Church In Minsk.
One of the attractions of Minsk - the Church of Saints Simeon and Helen, located on Independence Square - has a long and interesting story. This story dates back to the end of the 19th century, when Minsk Catholics decided to build another church in the city.
Church of Saints Simeon and Helen in Minsk, or Red Church, was built at the expense of Edward Adam Voinilovich, an outstanding Belarusian figure of the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The only condition of Edward and his wife Olympia was that the project they would provide should be accepted. They dedicated it to Saints Simeon and Helen in memory of their deceased children. (Simeon and Elena Voinilovich passed away at the age of 12 and 18, respectively.) This is how the project of Polish architects Tomasz Paizderski and Wladyslaw Marconi appeared.
The ceremonial laying of the foundation took place on September 6, 1906, the first stone was laid by priest Kazimir Mikhalkevich, rector of the Church of the Holy Trinity. All internal work - sculptural and stone cutting - was carried out by the Polish master Sigmund Otto.
The highest quality building materials were chosen for the construction of the Red Church in Minsk: red brick from Czestochowa, as well as pink sandstone and marble for altars and columns. Rumor has it that even each brick was wrapped in a separate piece of paper.
The new church was distinguished by its architecture, which was unusual for Minsk at that time. The core of the composition was a high rectangular tower - a symbol of the eternal grief of parents who have lost their children. Two smaller towers were named after Simeon and Helen. A two-story plebania was built next to the temple, and a stone fence around it.
The church was consecrated by priest Witold Chechot in November 1910, and services began in December. The holiday brought together a huge number of people, and not only of the Catholic faith.
The construction of the temple cost the Voinilovichs 300 thousand rubles (in today's equivalent, this is about 12 million dollars).
In the photo is the Church of St. Simeon and Helena in Minsk, an impressive shot of the Red Church.
Sasha Mitrakhovich 15.05.2015 15:18
![](https://i1.wp.com/posmotrim.by/pics/9b5f0ed6a.jpg)
The main creditor for the construction of the church was the landowner Edward Voinilovich, the only condition of Edward and his wife Olympia was the acceptance of the project that they would provide.
Together with his wife Olympia, he decided to dedicate it to Saints Simeon and Helen in memory of his deceased children. Simeon and Elena Voinilovich passed away at the age of 12 and 18, respectively. This is where the name comes from - Church of Saints Simeon and Helen.
The design of the temple was commissioned from the architect Tomasz Poyazderski. Architects V. Marconi and G. Gai also took part in the creation of this project.
The first stone of the future church was solemnly consecrated by Father Mikhalkevich in September 1906.
The best building materials began to arrive on site: red brick from Czestochowa, as well as pink sandstone and marble for altars and columns. Rumor has it that each brick was wrapped in a separate piece of paper.
Two years later, the roof of the temple was already covered with tiles. Its interior decoration was carried out by the sculptor from Warsaw Z. Ott and the artist F. Bruzdowicz.
The new church was distinguished by its architecture, which was unusual for Minsk at that time. The core of the composition was a high rectangular tower - a symbol of the eternal grief of parents who have lost their children. Two smaller towers were named after Simeon and Helen.
A two-story plebania was built next to the temple, and a stone fence around it.
On the picture Red Church Minsk in evening light.
Sasha Mitrakhovich 19.05.2015 17:17
![](https://i1.wp.com/posmotrim.by/pics/2dfed99af.jpg)
History of the Church of Saints Simeon and Helen during the Soviet period:
After 1917, difficult times came in the life of Minsk churches. The Church of Saints Simeon and Helen was no exception. After the Bolsheviks came to power, the Church of Saints Simeon and Helen was plundered. However, services there continued for many more years.
In 1923, it was subjected to devastating looting. Furniture, icons, dishes, watches, and inkwells were taken out of the shrine.
After another nine years, the temple was completely closed. At first, its building was occupied by the State Polish Theater, and then by the film studio “Soviet Belarus”.
After the Great Patriotic War, the church remained closed for a long time. Then its premises were again transferred to the film studio.
In 1975, after reconstruction, the temple building was adapted for the republican club of cinematographers - the House of Cinema. The highest tower housed a cinematography museum, and the main room was divided into two halls with 250 seats each.
At the same time (70s), the church complex received the status of a cultural monument of republican significance.
In the photo it's evening Church of Saints Simeon and Helen.
Sasha Mitrakhovich 22.05.2015 08:47
![](https://i0.wp.com/posmotrim.by/pics/4a3f8e93a.jpg)
The return of the temple to the Roman Catholic denomination occurred in 1990.
Six years later (1996), Cardinal Kazimir Swiatek consecrated the bronze sculpture composition of St. Michael piercing a winged serpent with a spear, created in front of him, by I. Golubev. This composition symbolizes the victory of the heavenly army over the forces of darkness. Archangel Michael, who has been considered the patron saint of Belarus since ancient times, pierces a winged serpent with a spear.
In 2000, the Nagasaki Bell monument was erected - a reminder of the victims of nuclear disasters.
Over the hundred years of its existence, the Church of St. Simeon and Helena in Minsk was used for its intended purpose for less than half a century: in 1910-1932. and since 1990.
In 2006, the remains of its founder, Edward Voinilovich, were reburied in the church building.
The Church of St. Simeon and Helena in Minsk today is one of the visiting cards of the capital and is included in many excursion tours around Belarus, educational tours around Belarus, weekend tours and religious tours.
The Church of St. Louis of France is one of two operating Catholic churches Moscow along with the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
Since 1763, after Catherine II’s decree on privileges for foreigners, the French, fleeing the revolution, began to move to Moscow. A kind of French colony was formed between Bolshaya and Malaya Lubyanka.
Having decided to build a Catholic church for themselves, the French sent representatives to the Moscow authorities. The negotiations were long, since the government did not agree to the construction of a heterodox temple in the center of the city and demanded that it be built in the German Settlement. Finally, permission was received, and the French Catholic Church of St. Louis of Nary was built in 1789-91. dependent on members of the French colony. The church was consecrated on March 30, 1791.
Initially it was modest: a small wooden building in the back of the courtyard, without a bell tower.
In the 19th century, the construction of a modern church building was carried out on the site of the previous one. Construction began in 1833 and was completed two years later.
was built according to the design of the famous architect A. O. Gilardi. The consecration took place, however, only on June 17, 1849, as is recalled by the marble plaque in the altar part of the church.
The building has retained its spatial design and the original decor of its facades and interior to this day. At Church of St. Louis
There were two gymnasiums - the men's gymnasium of St. Philippa Neri and the girls' gymnasium of St. Catherine; as well as the charitable shelter of St. Dorothea.
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After the 1917 revolution for Church of Saint Louis of France Hard times came, the temple was ruined many times, the abbot was expelled from the country. Until 1926, the French parish was under the care of Father Zelinsky, rector of the Church of the Holy Apostles Peter and Paul in Milyutinsky Lane. In 1926, Bishop Michel d'Herbigny, secretly from the Soviet authorities, ordained the assumptionist P. E. Neveu and two more priests - A. I. Frizon and B. Sloskans - as bishops in the Church of St. Louis. However, his secret was revealed and D'Herbigny was expelled from the USSR. Attempts were made to expel Bishop Neveu, but he was left in the country after protests from the French embassy.
Throughout the existence of the USSR Church of St. Louis remained the only open Catholic church in Moscow and one of two (along with the Church of Lourdes Mother of God in Leningrad) Catholic churches in the RSFSR.
Since the beginning of the 90s, a new period began in the life of the temple. On April 13, 1991, Pope John Paul II announced the creation of an Apostolic Administration for Latin Rite Catholics in European Russia. The ceremonial installation of the Apostolic Administrator, Archbishop Tadeusz Kondrusiewicz, took place in the Church of St. Louis on May 28, 1991.
Currently, due to the fact that the third Catholic church in Moscow - the Church of the Holy Apostles Peter and Paul in Milyutinsky Lane was never returned to the Church, services are held in the Church of St. Louis as the parish of St. Louis (mainly French- and English-speaking), and the parish of St. Peter and Paul (predominantly Russian-speaking).
Church of Saint Louis of France Built in the classicist style, it is a three-nave basilica with a high central and lower side naves. The entrance is decorated with a colonnade; on both sides of the colonnade there are low bell towers. If you decide to visit Moscow and this temple in particular, I advise you to book a hotel somewhere nearby (for example, the Oxus Hotel) to make it easier to get to such amazing places
In the 90s, a large-scale reconstruction was carried out internal space temple. Above the main altar there is a picturesque image of the Transfiguration of the Lord. On the altar of the left nave in the center there is a statue of St. Louis to his left is a statue of St. Bernard of Clairvaux, on the right is St. Francis de Sales. A little to the right, on a separate pedestal is a statue of St. Anthony of Padua. Also in the altar of the left nave are small statues of the patron saints of France: St. Joan of Arc and St. Therese of Lisieux. The right altar is dedicated to the Virgin Mary, and there is a statue of the Virgin Mary of Lourdes. After Soviet period Only one ancient stained glass window with the image of St. Joseph, located on the right side of the temple.
The church has a Sunday school and a scout movement. Charity charity events are held regularly organ concerts.
The temple is located on the street. Malaya Lubyanka, 12a
To the Church of St. Simeon and St. Helena in Minsk. Belarus.
In October, I managed to visit Minsk one day. It’s clear that many places were planned for filming, but the autumn weather was unpredictable - the sky was overcast all day and I didn’t want to take the camera out of my backpack...
Towards evening, clouds appeared. I took a few shots “for the basket” (like this one below #1). There was still hope for the evening, when the lights would be turned on.
1.
We were based at the station awaiting the continuation of the trip. I went for an evening shoot and walking past the church on Independence Square I saw the sky begin to light up. In the west, the horizon cleared of clouds and the sun illuminated the clouds from below with sunset light.
When I took out the camera, the sky was already blazing crimson!
2.
After crimson, the color of the sky began to change to orange
3.
Turning my back to the sunset, I saw a rainbow over the city among the pink clouds! I have never seen a rainbow at sunset, and even in October! I had to run around to find some interesting angle.
4.
The rainbow quickly melted after hanging for about 5 minutes, but the bright crimson-orange sky illuminated the buildings with pink light for some time and the red church became even redder.
5.
The sunset ended and we had to wait about an hour until it got dark and the evening lights turned on. As always happens, a cold wind rose and rain began to fall...
6.
7.
In the bottom photo I caught the “hares” with the lens, but, in my opinion, it turned out even more interesting.
8.
The sky has turned black, which means it’s time to end filming.
9.
Actually about the church from Wikipedia:
The Church of St. Simeon and St. Helena (Belorussian: Kascel of St. Symon and St. Alena, Polish: Kościół św. Szymona i Heleny), often also called the Red Church, is the most famous Catholic church in Minsk.
Administratively, it belongs to the southeastern deanery of the Minsk-Mogilev Archdiocese. An architectural monument included in the State List of Historical and Cultural Values of the Republic of Belarus. In a number of sources, including the memoirs of the builder of the temple, Edward Voinilovich, the style of the temple is characterized as neo-Romanesque, in a number of others, as neo-Gothic with modernist features.
The church is located on Independence Square in close proximity to the Government House.
Construction of the temple began in 1905. The construction was led by the Minsk nobleman Edward Voinilovich, who also donated a large sum for the construction of the temple. The author of the project was the Polish architect Tomasz Pajderski. The church received the names of Saints Simeon and Helen in memory of the two early deceased children of Voinilovich. In the fall of 1908, the main construction work was completed, in 1909 the bells were raised to the tower, and on September 20, 1910, Archbishop Klyuchinsky consecrated the temple. The temple was built entirely of red brick, which earned it the popular nickname “Red Church”.
In 1923, almost all church valuables were expropriated, and the church was finally closed in 1932. At first it housed the State Polish Theater of the BSSR, then it was converted into a film studio. In 1942, during the occupation of the city by German troops, the temple was reopened, but immediately after the war it was closed for a long time. There were plans for the complete destruction of the building, which were not implemented. The building housed the services of the film studio, then the House of Cinema of the Union of Cinematographers of the BSSR and the Museum of the History of Belarusian Cinema.
During Soviet times, the building underwent reconstruction - extensions appeared on the left side facade; three apses were connected into one. All the paintings in the interior were painted over, but despite this, the temple was declared an architectural monument of republican significance. In the 1970s gt. new stained glass windows were made that embodied the allegories of the five arts, the author of which was the Belarusian monumental artist Gabriel Vashchenko, as well as copper chandeliers.
In 1990, the Church of Saints Simon and Helen was returned to the Catholic Church. During the restoration work that began immediately, the paintings on the vaults and in the presbytery were cleared. In 1996, a sculpture of Archangel Michael piercing a serpent was installed near the church. In 2000, the Nagasaki Bell monument was erected.
Photo: Church of St. Simeon and St. Helena (Red Church)
Photo and description
The Church of St. Simeon and St. Helena, also called the Red Church, was opened in December 1910. The construction of the temple was carried out at the expense of the wealthy Minsk nobleman Edward Voinilovich and his wife Olympia, who made a large donation of 100,000 rubles for the construction of the temple.
The temple was built according to the design of architects Tomasz Paizderski and Vladislav Marconi. Construction of the temple lasted five years. The first stone was solemnly laid by Father Kazimir Mikhalkevich. The sculptures of the church were created by sculptor Sigmund Otto. The bell tower of the temple was decorated with three bells: Edward (in honor of Voinilovich himself), Simon (in honor of his deceased son) and Michael (in honor of the patron saint of the archbishopric).
Today, the Red Church is one of the most famous and visited Catholic churches in Minsk. The church is an asymmetrical basilica in the neo-Romanesque style, built of red brick. The height of the bell tower reaches 50 meters.
The church was consecrated in honor of Saints Simeon and Helen. The inconsolable father dedicated the temple to his dead children, who bore the names of these saints.
After the Revolution in 1932, the church was closed. The Polish state theater operated in the temple building, then it was transferred to a film studio. During the Nazi occupation, the church was reopened. After the war, a film studio was again set up in the temple, and since 1975 - the House of Cinema.
In 1990, the Church of St. Simeon and St. Helena was transferred Catholic Church and is open to parishioners. In 1996, a sculpture of St. Michael piercing a dragon with a spear was installed in front of the Red Church - a symbol of the victory of the heavenly army over the forces of darkness. In 2000, the sculpture “Bell of Nagasaki” was installed - a symbol of memory of the victims of nuclear disasters.
Church of Saints Simeon and Helen in Minsk (Belarus) - description, history, location. Exact address and website. Tourist reviews, photos and videos.
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Among the monuments of Soviet constructivism, located on Independence Square in Minsk, stands a beautiful red brick building. The Church of Saints Simeon and Helen, built here at the beginning of the 20th century, has miraculously survived to this day, although it has risked being destroyed more than once. Any person who visits this temple leaves it full of strength and bright thoughts. Although, perhaps, this church would never have been built if a personal tragedy had not happened in the life of the famous Minsk nobleman Edward Voinilovich. The temple is dedicated to his prematurely departed children.
Story
The Voinilovichs are one of the oldest noble families in Belarus. Edward Voinilovich was a very prominent political figure and a wealthy landowner, but such a high status did not prevent him from doing charity work and supporting the Belarusian national movement. Unfortunately, great grief occurred in his family at the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries. In 1887, 12-year-old son Simon died, and in 1903, 19-year-old daughter Elena. In memory of them, Voinilovich decided to build a temple and name it in honor of the saints, the patrons of his son and daughter.
The red brick temple (which is why it is also known to this day as the Red Church) was consecrated in 1910.
After the establishment of Soviet power in Minsk, the church was destroyed. But services were held there for several more years. In 1932, the temple building was transferred to the Polish Theater of the BSSR, and six years later - to the film studio. In 1975, the church was converted into the House of Cinema. A cinematographic museum was opened in the tower, and the premises for worship were divided into 2 halls with 250 seats each.
In the 1980s, there were plans for the destruction of the temple, which fortunately were not implemented.
The building was returned to Catholics only in 1990. And six years later, a sculpture of Archangel Michael piercing a serpent with a spear was installed in front of the temple. In 2006, the remains of its founder Edward Voinilovich were solemnly transferred to the church.
What to see
Today the Church of Saints Simeon and Helen is one of the calling cards of Minsk. It is included in most bus and walking excursion routes passing through the capital of Belarus.
To the left of the entrance to the church is the Nagasaki bell. This monument is intended to remind of the consequences of nuclear disasters. The Minsk Bell is a copy of the famous “Angel” that survived the atomic bombing of Nagasaki. A cable stretches from it, by pulling which anyone can honor the memory of radiation victims by ringing a bell.
The main symbol of the church is a 50-meter four-tier bell tower in the southeastern part. By the way, 2 small hipped towers with a height of 36 meters were placed not on the main facade, but unconventionally - on the side of the altar basilica. The height of the hall for worship reaches 15 meters, the width of the facade is 45 meters.
The sculptures located in the church are by Sigmund Otto. He also designed the pulpit, fences and bronze elements of the temple. The creator of magnificent paintings on walls and vaults, as well as stained glass windows, is the artist Francis Bruzdovich.
Practical information
Address: Minsk, pl. Independence, 15. Website.
Nearest metro station: Lenin Square.