The Church of the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary and the Brigit Monastery is an architectural complex of the 17th century, built in Grodno. The temple is located on Molodezhnaya Street (formerly Skidelskaya) in the historical center of the city.
The construction of the church began in 1635 by decree of Marshal Krzysztof Veselowski. He and his wife Alexandra lost their adopted daughter Griselda early, in whose memory the complex was erected. In the same year, the spouses were invited by the nuns of the Order of the Swedish Saint Brigitte, from which the name of the temple, popular among the townspeople, Brigitte, came. Soon a wooden church was ready, rebuilt in 1642 into a stone one. Bishop Jerzy Tyshkevich of Vilna in 1651 consecrated the church, which since that time has been called the Annunciation.

The interior of the church was famous for its diversity and beauty. There were 7 carved altars with sculptures in the temple, as well as more than 40 painted icons. The main shrine of the temple was the relics of St. Clement, a former Roman soldier. It was he who was revered by the townspeople as the main patron of Grodno. The church itself combined several styles, in which the Baroque prevailed.

There was also a residential building on the territory of the complex — a building with two floors. Its facade, divided by windows, was finished with artistic plaster. A unique portal has been preserved on its northern part. The first floor of the building is now occupied by a dining room, and the library is located on the second floor.

The walls surrounding the complex also attract attention. A corner tower and a gate for "walking people" have been preserved at the intersection of streets. In total, 4 entrances to the territory of the church were built, but in the 50s of the last century, the southern gate with towers were completely dismantled. The bell tower, located across the street, also suffered at the hands of the Soviet authorities.

The Order of the Brigades existed in Grodno until 1908, when the last nun died. In the same year, the complex was handed over to the Nazarene sisters invited to Grodno. The nuns of the Congregation live in the city to this day.

Since 1950, for 40 years, the church has been a clinic for the mentally ill. In the 70s, the temple was planned to be rebuilt into a concert hall, so reconstruction and renovation of the premises were started. There is practically nothing left of the former grandeur of the decoration.

The complex was returned to the Nazarene sisters in 1990, and since then believers have been able to use the church for its intended purpose. Despite the hardships endured, the temple is perfectly preserved. By now, the red tiles have already been replaced, restoration work on the facade is actively underway. It was planned to restore the destroyed bell tower, but the city authorities put forward a ban. The official reason for the refusal is that the updated tower will interfere with traffic.

Currently, the church is an active convent. The sisterhood moved to a new building far from the city center, but still takes an active part in the life of the renovated complex.

Contacts:

tel.: +375 152 77 01 81 (office)

gremantos@gmail.com (rector of the church)