Andrei Halias

Church of All Saints in Minsk is a majestic Orthodox structure, one of the most significant religious and architectural <a href="https://findit.city/en/belarus/minsk/leisure/tourism/sights/map">landmarks of Belarus</a>. The full name of the church is "Minsk Memorial Church in the Name of All Saints and in Memory of the Victims Who Served the Salvation of Our Fatherland." It was consecrated on October 14, 2018, by Patriarch Kirill. The height of the church reaches 74 meters with the cross, and its architecture embodies the rare tent-style design, characteristic of ancient Russian churches.

Construction of this grand structure began in 2006, but the idea of its creation arose much earlier. Back in 1991, Patriarch Alexy II of Moscow and All Russia laid the first stone in the church's foundation, symbolizing the beginning of a long journey to its construction. The architect of the project was Lev Pogorelov, a distinguished architect of Belarus, who, together with the rector of the church, Archpriest Fyodor Povny, developed the designs for more than two years. Their vision was realized in a unique memorial church that not only reflects deep spirituality but also serves as a reminder of the tragic pages of Belarusian history.

The Church of All Saints holds a special place in the spiritual life of the country. It is dedicated to the memory of all victims who perished in various wars and conflicts, starting from the Patriotic War of 1812, World War I, and the Great Patriotic War. The crypt of the church houses the remains of unknown soldiers who died in these wars, giving the church a special status as a memorial. Here, one can not only pray for the dead but also connect with history through the architecture and symbolism of this sacred place.

The architectural features of the church make it unique. The tent-shaped form, gilded domes, friezes with depictions of saints on the facades—all of this creates a solemn and majestic image. The exterior walls are adorned with mosaic images of saints framed by ceramic towels, a tribute to Belarusian traditions, giving the church a national identity. The main dome, rising to a height of 74 meters, symbolizes the aspiration to heaven and eternal memory of the fallen.

The interior of the church also impresses with its decoration. Inside, there are three altars: the main one in honor of All Saints, the northern lower one in honor of the Beheading of John the Baptist, and the northern upper one in honor of the Icon of the Mother of God. The frescoes and icons are executed in the style of the 15th–17th centuries, immersing visitors in the atmosphere of ancient Russian architecture. Special attention is drawn to the Icon of the Mother of God "Soothe My Sorrows," which adorns one of the altars, crafted with gold carving and vibrant colors such as blue, white, and dark red.

The main shrine of the church is the crypt—the underground part where the remains of three unknown soldiers are kept. Entrance is through heavy bronze doors, symbolically named "Tears of Belarus." On them are six symbols of the heroism of the Belarusian people, emphasizing the memorial nature of this place. In the center of the crypt is an oil lamp, before which parishioners light candles in memory of fallen heroes. Also in the crypt are memorial niches with soil brought from battle sites where Belarusian soldiers fought.

The Church of All Saints is not only a place of prayer and worship but also an important cultural and historical site. Services are held here, events to commemorate the dead take place, and an archive with information about all Belarusians who died in wars and repressions is maintained. The lists of victims' names encircle the church, making it even more significant for the Belarusian people.

Particular attention should be paid to the lighting of the church. At night, the illumination emphasizes its architectural forms and symbolism, creating a special atmosphere of spirituality and eternal memory.

Church of All Saints is not just a monument of architecture; it is a symbol of the spiritual connection between generations, a reminder that each person has their heavenly protector and that the Belarusian people, despite all trials, maintain their connection with Heaven.

明斯克的万圣教堂 是一座宏伟的东正教建筑，是白俄罗斯最重要的宗教和建筑<a href="https://findit.city/cn/belarus/minsk/leisure/tourism/sights/map">地标之一</a>。教堂的全名是“明斯克纪念教堂，以万圣之名，并纪念为祖国的拯救做出贡献的受害者”。教堂于2018年10月14日由基里尔宗主教祝圣。教堂连同十字架的高度达74米，其建筑风格体现了罕见的帐篷式设计，这是古代俄罗斯教堂的特色。

这一宏伟建筑的建设始于2006年，但其创建的构想早在1991年就出现了。当时，莫斯科及全俄罗斯的亚历克西二世宗主教为教堂的奠基石揭幕，象征着教堂建设漫长旅程的开始。该项目的建筑师是白俄罗斯杰出的建筑师列夫·波戈列洛夫，他与教堂的主教费奥多尔·波夫尼共同合作，耗时两年多时间设计蓝图。他们的构想实现了这一独特的纪念性教堂，不仅反映了深刻的精神性，还提醒着人们白俄罗斯历史的悲惨篇章。

万圣教堂在该国的精神生活中占据着特殊的地位。它是为了纪念在各种战争和冲突中牺牲的所有受害者，从1812年卫国战争、第一次世界大战到伟大的卫国战争。教堂的地下室安葬了这些战争中牺牲的无名士兵的遗骸，使其具有特别的纪念地位。在这里，人们不仅可以为逝者祈祷，还可以通过这座神圣场所的建筑和象征与历史联系。

教堂的建筑特色使其独具一格。帐篷状的结构、镀金的圆顶、装饰有圣人图像的壁饰——这一切都创造出庄严而宏伟的形象。外墙装饰着圣人的马赛克图像，并用陶瓷刺绣帕围绕，这是一种对白俄罗斯传统的致敬，赋予教堂民族特色。高达74米的主圆顶象征着对天堂的追求和对逝者的永恒记忆。

教堂内部的装饰也令人印象深刻。教堂内有三个祭坛：主祭坛献给万圣，北部下层祭坛献给约翰·施洗者的斩首事件，北部上层祭坛献给圣母像。壁画和圣像的风格模仿15至17世纪，带领访客沉浸在古俄罗斯建筑的氛围中。特别引人注目的是装饰着金雕和鲜艳颜色的圣母像“平息我的悲伤”，其中使用了蓝色、白色和深红色等颜色。

教堂的主要圣物是地下室——那里安放着三位无名士兵的遗骸。通过重重的青铜大门可以进入地下室，这些大门象征性地被命名为“白俄罗斯的眼泪”。门上刻有白俄罗斯人民英雄主义的六个象征，强调了这一地方的纪念性。在地下室的中心有一盏长明灯，教堂的信徒们在灯前点燃蜡烛，纪念牺牲的英雄。地下室内还设置了带有从白俄罗斯士兵战斗过的战场带来的泥土的纪念龛。

万圣教堂不仅是祈祷和崇拜的场所，还是重要的文化和历史遗迹。这里举行宗教仪式，举办纪念逝者的活动，并保存有关于在战争和镇压中逝去的所有白俄罗斯人的档案。遇难者的名单围绕着教堂，使其对白俄罗斯人民来说更加重要。

特别值得注意的是教堂的照明。在夜间，照明突显了教堂的建筑形式和象征意义，营造出一种特殊的精神氛围和永恒的记忆。

明斯克的万圣教堂 不仅仅是一座建筑纪念碑，它是世代之间精神联系的象征，提醒着每个人都有自己的天界守护者，并且白俄罗斯人民尽管经历了各种考验，仍然保持着与天堂的联系。