BY-1659975 Cathedral of the Holy Spirit, Minsk, Belarus

The Cathedral of the Holy Spirit  (Кафедральны сабор Сашэсця Святога Духа) is one of the most instantly recognisable symbols of Minsk.  This magnificent, gleaming, two-towered Orthodox cathedral in the heart of the city was completed in 1642 as part of a larger ensemble to serve Bernadine nuns.  Consecration of this church was delayed for 40 years because of the Muscovite invasions.

In 1741 the original structure was damaged by fire but was later reconstructed. The convent was closed in 1852 and the building was given to the Russian Orthodox Church for use as a monastery.  After the October Revolution, the Bolsheviks closed the church and used it for secular purposes.  Today the church has been restored to its former glory. The famed Minsk Icon of the Mother of God (Theotokos) dating from around 1500 is housed in this Cathedral.

This postcard came from Maria (23 July 2015) Postcrossing.