Andrei Halias

The Church of Saints Simon and Helena, also known as The Red Church, is one of the most recognizable landmarks in Minsk. This Catholic church is located on <a href="https://findit.city/en/belarus/minsk/leisure/tourism/sights/49/description">Independence Square</a>, next to the <a href="https://findit.city/en/belarus/minsk/leisure/tourism/sights/51/description">Government House</a>, and attracts attention with both its architecture and its historical background.

The history of the church begins in the early 20th century and is associated with the tragedy of the Voynilovich family. Edward Voynilovich, a Minsk nobleman and public figure, lost two children — his son Simon and daughter Helena. In their memory, Voynilovich decided to build a church, which was consecrated in honor of Saints Simon and Helena. Construction began in 1905, and five years later, in 1910, the church was ceremoniously opened. The project was led by Polish architect Tomasz Pajzderski, who gave the church a unique style, combining elements of Neo-Romanesque, Neo-Gothic, and Art Nouveau. The red brick used in construction gave the church its popular nickname — The Red Church.

The architecture of the Church of Saints Simon and Helena is notable for its asymmetrical composition. The central element is a four-tiered tower 50 meters high, located in the southeastern part. Two smaller towers, installed on either side of the altar, symbolize the memory of Voynilovich's children. The main façade of the church is adorned with a large rose window, located under a triangular pediment, a traditional element of Neo-Gothic churches.

After its construction, the Red Church quickly became an important religious and cultural center of Minsk. However, in 1923, Soviet authorities began the expropriation of church valuables, and in 1932 the church was finally closed. During the Soviet period, the building was used for various purposes: it housed the Polish State Theatre of the BSSR, a film studio, and later the House of Cinema and the Museum of Belarusian Film History. During this period, the building underwent significant changes: extensions were added, apses were merged, and the interior paintings were covered.

The return of the church to the Catholic Church occurred in 1990. Restoration work began immediately, allowing for the restoration of the original frescoes on the vaults and presbytery. In 1996, a sculpture of Archangel Michael piercing a serpent with a spear — a symbol of the triumph of good over evil — was installed in front of the church. Another important composition that appeared near the church in 2000 was the "Nagasaki Bell" monument, dedicated to the victims of nuclear disasters. This bell is a replica of the angel that survived the nuclear bombing in Nagasaki.

The Red Church has become not only a religious but also a cultural center of Minsk. In the "lower church," located under the main basilica, performances, exhibitions, and other cultural events are regularly held. One of the most revered relics of the church is a copy of the Shroud of Turin, presented as a gift to the Belarusian people in 2002.

In 2006, the remains of Edward Voynilovich were reburied in the church according to his will. A sculpture of Jesus was placed over his grave, and a memorial plaque was placed nearby.

Today, the Red Church remains an important symbol of Minsk and one of its main attractions. The building is protected by the state as an architectural monument and is included in all city sightseeing tours. The church also attracts tourists with its tragic history and unique architecture, which includes elements of Neo-Romanesque, Neo-Gothic, and Art Nouveau styles.

Inside the church, you can see several statues of saints, stained glass windows, and wall paintings created by Belarusian artist Franciszek Bruzdowicz. One of the central compositions of the interior is a painting of the "Last Supper," located above the main entrance. The stained glass windows, installed during the Soviet period, depict allegories of five types of art.

The Church of Saints Simon and Helena has undergone several restoration works. The latest large-scale restoration took place in 2017–2019. However, this has caused financial difficulties for the community, related to the reimbursement of funds spent on the restoration. By 2020, the community’s debt for land tax and depreciation had reached 156,000 Belarusian rubles.

Despite all difficulties, the Red Church remains a symbol of hope, sorrow, and faith. The church attracts not only believers but also those interested in the history and architecture of Belarus.

圣西蒙与圣海伦教堂，也被称为红教堂，是明斯克最具代表性的地标之一。这座天主教堂位于<a href="https://findit.city/cn/belarus/minsk/leisure/tourism/sights/49/description">独立广场</a>，毗邻<a href="https://findit.city/cn/belarus/minsk/leisure/tourism/sights/51/description">政府大楼</a>，凭借其建筑风格和历史背景吸引了众人的目光。

教堂的历史始于20世纪初，并与沃伊尼洛维奇家族的悲剧密切相关。明斯克的贵族和社会活动家爱德华·沃伊尼洛维奇失去了两个孩子——儿子西蒙和女儿海伦。为了纪念他们，沃伊尼洛维奇决定建造一座教堂，教堂以圣西蒙与圣海伦的名义被奉献。施工于1905年开始，五年后的1910年，教堂隆重开放。波兰建筑师托马什·派兹德尔斯基负责了项目，他将新罗曼式、新哥特式和现代主义元素相结合，赋予教堂独特的风格。建造时使用的红砖赋予了教堂“红教堂”的民间称号。

圣西蒙与圣海伦教堂的建筑以其不对称的构图而著称。中央元素是一座50米高的四层塔楼，位于东南部。两座小塔楼分别位于祭坛的两侧，象征着沃伊尼洛维奇孩子们的纪念。教堂的主立面装饰有一个大玫瑰窗，位于三角形山墙下，这是新哥特式教堂的传统元素。

建成后，红教堂迅速成为明斯克的重要宗教和文化中心。然而，1923年苏联当局开始没收教堂财产，1932年教堂最终关闭。苏联时期，该建筑被用于各种用途：它曾是波兰国家剧院、电影制片厂，后来是电影之家和白俄罗斯电影历史博物馆。在此期间，建筑经历了重大变化：增加了附属建筑，合并了后殿，内部绘画被覆盖。

1990年教堂归还给天主教会后，修复工作随即展开，恢复了原本在拱顶和祭坛的壁画。1996年，教堂前安放了圣米迦勒天使刺穿巨蛇的雕像——象征着善战胜恶。2000年，另一重要雕塑“长崎之钟”也出现在教堂旁，纪念核灾难的受害者。这个钟是长崎原子弹爆炸后幸存天使的复制品。

红教堂不仅是宗教中心，还是明斯克的文化中心。位于主要大殿下方的“下教堂”经常举办戏剧表演、展览及其他文化活动。教堂中最受尊崇的圣物之一是2002年赠送给白俄罗斯人民的都灵裹尸布的复制品。

2006年，根据遗嘱，爱德华·沃伊尼洛维奇的遗体在教堂重新安葬。墓上放置了耶稣雕像，旁边立有纪念牌。

如今，红教堂仍是明斯克的重要象征及其主要景点之一。该建筑作为建筑纪念碑受到国家保护，并被列入所有城市观光游览路线。教堂因其悲剧历史和独特的建筑风格，吸引了游客的注意，这种建筑风格融合了新罗曼式、新哥特式及现代主义元素。

在教堂内部，可以看到几座圣徒雕像、彩色玻璃窗，以及由白俄罗斯画家弗朗西斯克·布鲁兹多维奇创作的壁画。内部的核心作品之一是位于主入口上方的《最后的晚餐》图画。苏联时期安装的彩色玻璃窗描绘了五种艺术形式的寓言。

圣西蒙与圣海伦教堂多次经历了修复工程。最近的大规模修复工程发生在2017-2019年。然而，由于修复费用的偿还问题，教堂社区面临着财务困境。到2020年，社区因土地税和折旧积累的债务达到15.6万白俄罗斯卢布。

尽管面临诸多困难，红教堂仍是希望、悲伤与信仰的