The History of the Temple of the Nativity of the Mother of God in Gudevichi village

There is a small but very cozy village called Gudevichi in Mosty district of Grodno region. The location has such a “speaking” name for a reason. The fact is that the village is located near the road that caused a lot of noise. The local residents were accustomed to that, and merchants and visitors called the village “buzzing” because of noise.

In 1852, the construction of a new stone temple was started in that area, near the old temple made of wood. When the construction was over, it was consecrated in honor of the Mother of God, and it is still named so.

In the early XX century, a belfry made of brick was attached to the building; it has three tiers and stands on a foundation made of firm pitch stone.

The Temple of the Nativity of the Mother of God is one of the few that have been functioning even in the war period and up to the present day. In the middle of the XX century, V. Zheleznyakovich served as a priest at the temple; he conducted all divine services only in the native Belarusian language. He honored much the Belarusian culture and was a true patriot. In the postwar period in the middle of the XX century, people from the NKVD came to the territory of the temple, and, first they arrested the priest’s son and then the priest himself. He was sentenced to 25 years in Stalin's camps. The convicted people were released from prisons and camps after Stalin's death. And V. Zheleznyakovich was released too, but on one condition: he would not live in his native land. And the priest had to leave the Belarusian land and go to Russia.

The description of the Temple of the Nativity of the Mother of God in Gudevichi village

The local residents greatly value and honor the Temple of the Nativity of the Mother of God. Many local organizations provide constant financial support to the temple for the spiritual education of not only children but also adults.

The building has a special architectural and historical value. It is not a coincidence that a visit to this sanctuary is included in the tourist program called “From Grodno to Gudevichi and back”, and is also one of the most interesting points of the tour. All tourist programs offered for travelers are focused on not simple holidays in Belarus but also active tourism, ecotourism and recreation with children.

You can visit an ethnographic museum in this village. Hand-made carpets, tablecloths, towels, napkins, aprons and belts are kept in the museum.

Travelers, who choose cheap holidays in different parts of Belarus without extra costs, have a good opportunity to take a guided trip with an own car. You can reach the village following the route from Minsk to Volozhin, then turning to Lida, then to Schuchin in the direction of Mosty, and finally 15 km south-westward to Gudevichi. The destination is 271 km from Minsk.