Briefly about the history of the church

The church was constructed in 1792 with the resources of Bzhostovskies Robert and Anna, the then owners of the village and surrounding area. It was consecrated in honor of St Anna, the patron of Anna Bozhstovskaya. St Anna is the Virgin Mary’s mother that is well-regarded by Christians.

The laity has been functioning for the years throughout its existence. It was not closed even when there wasn’t a priest during the period since 1961 to 1988. The parishioners themselves hold divine services. Since 1990 to 2010 Yuozas Bulka was the head of the laity. The role of this man in the development of the architectural complex of the church and his influence on the parishioners is difficult to overestimate.

The architectural complex

The construction of the church was longstanding; the style can be determined as Neo-Classicism. The church itself that is rectangular with a low roof, the three-tier belfry and the Chapel of The Mother of God of Ostrobrama (the copy of this in Vilnius) are the main buildings of the church complex.

It is usually considered that Classicism suggests some “dryness”, excessive strictness and, in some way, boredom of the structure. But such definitions cannot be applied to this church.

With the efforts of the priest Bulka:

• Around the perimeter of the church there are 14 haut-reliefs that symbolize the Cross Way (episodes of the ascent to Calvary, crucifixion, and deposition that were described in the New Testament);
• There was laid out a magnificent park with a huge diversity of plants, some of which could be the envy of botanical gardens;
• In the park there are artificial ponds, small architectural figures, garden sculptures of religious content, there are laid out parkways, pedestrian ways paved with figured tiles;
• The real decoration of the church and the park is the sculpture of the mourning over the deposed son by the Mother of God; it is an exact copy of Pieta by Michelangelo;
• Upon an initiative of the father of Bulka there was installed the sculpture of Pope John Paul II –the first one in Belarus;
• The proper order was made in the church cemetery, now there is the five-meter sculpture of the Savior. The Son of God is turned to the church and lends his blessing to the church and those who come to it;
• There is the highest Catholic cross in Belarus.

Amongst the sanctuaries of the Church of St Anna there are icons “The Crucifixion” and “Hodegetria”. The main sanctuary is a part of the relicts of St Justin, the gift of Pope Benedict XIV. It is a saint martyr from the cohort of Early Christians. He is considered to be the patron of nondrinkers. Here it is worth mentioning another good cause of the father of Bulka. Throughout his life he struggled against alcoholism in word, in fact and with the strength of faith. In the village Mosar he evidently succeeded in that. He managed to form an absolutely abstinent community; all the countrymen were his supporters in this matter, faith and development of the beloved church.

The selfless work of the leader of the church in the village Mosar was highly appreciated by the state – he got the reward “For Spiritual Revival” and the Order of Francisc Skorina; and also by the Catholic Church – for his selfless work Pope John Paul II granted him the title of a canon.

The complex of the church in the village Mosar is included into the List of Historical and Cultural Heritage of the Republic of Belarus.