Cathedral Catholic Cathedral
Belarus, Minsk, Freedom Square, 9
Description:
The main Catholic cathedral in Minsk - the Church of the Blessed Virgin Mary is located on Freedom Square. Its white walls are an integral part of the architecture of the Old Town. The proximity to the Orthodox Cathedral is a symbol of unique religious tolerance.
After two wars and during religious persecution, the temple was severely damaged. Forever lost unique frescoes and skillful wooden figures of the twelve apostles, decorated the entrance to the temple. Both towers of the main facade were destroyed, inside the house of physical education of the Spartak society with sports halls and a shooting range was located. And only in 1997, by the forces of the Minsk Catholics, the temple was returned to its original appearance.
Today it celebrates divine services, confirming the title of the main temple of the Minsk-Mogilev Archdiocese of the Roman Catholic Church. Recently beatified Pope John Paul II gave the cathedral an icon of the Immaculate Conception of the Virgin Mary.