History Supraśl Orthodox Monastery

another view of monastery complex



the monastery s renaissance gardens

the supraśl orthodox monastery founded in 16th century marshall of great duchy of lithuania aleksander chodkiewicz. jeremias ii tranos, patriarch of constantinople issued special tomos sanctioning foundation. 1501 saw building of first wooden church of st. john evangelist. in period, anthony of supraśl lived in monastery before martyrdom. in 1516, church of annunciation consecrated, later monastery further expanded addition of church dedicated resurrection of our lord, housed monastery catacombs. passing of years, supraśl lavra became important site of orthodox culture result of large library , lively contacts other important orthodox sites such kiev lavra , mount athos.

in 1609, monastery 1 of first entities accept union of brest in polish-lithuanian commonwealth, , basilian order took on administration. basilians oversaw rebuilding of monastery complex , expansion of publishing activity. @ end of 17th century, printing house established and, on period of more 1 hundred years, published 350 titles in ruthenian, polish, , latin. during same period, several filial monasteries established, noteworthy being filial monastery in warsaw, has remained in operation day. in 1796, prussian authorities confiscated holdings of monastery after third partition of poland. nevertheless, continued play important role in religious life of region seat of newly created eparchy devout ruthenians under prussian rule, starting in 1797 , lasting until fell under russian rule after treaties of tilsit in 1807.

in 1824, russians gave monastery complex russian orthodox church. in 1875, st. panteleimon church built, in 1889, st. john theologian, , in 1901, st. george victor. in 1910, there restoration of 16th century frescoes, had been covered basilians. in aftermath of havoc of world war i, monks fled monastery interior of russia, taking them miraculous icon of our lady of supraśl.

in period between 2 world wars, monastery used latin rite salesian order. in 1944, retreating german army destroyed church of annunciation, along of precious frescoes. communist government turned monastery agricultural academy. after collapse of communist government, monastery turned on polish autocephalous orthodox church, began still ongoing conservation work , renovation of monastery.

the codex of supraśl, oldest slavic literary work in poland , 1 of oldest of kind in world, named after monastery.