Initially Cathedral in Minsk was built as a church, part of the convent complex bernardines. The temple was founded in 1642, but completed only 45 years later. After a strong fire in 1742, the monastery was partially rebuilt and reconstructed, but retained its original appearance and architecture of the Vilna baroque.
In the middle of the 19th century, the nuns of the order were transferred to Inconclusive, and the church in 1860 became an Orthodox church. Since 1870, a monastery has been operating here.
Like many others temples of Belarus, The Cathedral of the Descent of the Holy Spirit is closed in the first half of the 20th century. First, the monastery - in 1922, and a little later, the entire parish.
Services in the temple will resume during the occupation Minsk, and after the liberation of the city, the church will acquire the status of a cathedral. (before that, the main temple of Minsk was considered Peter and Paul Cathedral on Nemiga).
Surprisingly, in Soviet times, the cathedral was not only not closed, but even completely renovated. Crosses were re-installed on the towers, major repairs were carried out and many Orthodox relics were transferred from other churches in Minsk.
Today the Cathedral of the Descent of the Holy Spirit is one of the main attractions of the capital.
What else to see in the Upper City? Next to the cathedral is the Church of St. Joseph, a little in the distance Church of the Virgin Mary. Also you can choose interesting excursions in Minsk.
