St. Nicholas Garrison Cathedral

St. Nicholas Cathedral is located in the heart of the Brest Fortress, behind the monument "Courage" and its white walls and golden domes are visible from afar. Hard to believe, but 20 years ago it was a dilapidated building with vague outlines, in the gaping openings of which you could distinguish the altar part and hinged balconies.

In 1851, according to the imperial decree, the construction of an Orthodox cathedral began on the money of the garrison officers. The place of construction was not chosen by chance - once there was a church of Augustinians on this place. The opening of the temple was attended by Tsar Nicholas II. Behind the white walls, the temple became known as the “White Church”. Later, the church was consecrated in honor of Nicholas the Wonderworker.

After the First World War, St. Nicholas Church was given to the Catholic Church and turned into the Church of St. Christoph. After the annexation of Brest to the USSR in 1939, an officer club was arranged in the former church. The Great Patriotic War turned into ruins most of the buildings of the Brest fortress, it did not spare the building of the former temple, although the walls and ceiling still survived. After the war for some time in the dilapidated building was a warehouse, and after it was just left to crumble.

In 1994, the church was returned to the Orthodox Church, and gradually, brick by brick, it began to be restored in its original form. The brick was taken from the ruins of the destroyed barracks of the Fortress, and after years, as a result of hard work, the St. Nicholas Church again shone with white walls and golden domes. The White Church now has the largest and ringing bell in Belarus. His voice is carried over the casemates of the Brest fortress, over the mass grave, over the eternal fire and carried away to heaven.