Church of the Nativity of the Theotokos, Sambir
The Church of the Nativity of the Theotokos is a historic Greek Catholic church in Sambir, in the Lviv region of Ukraine.
| Church of the Nativity of the Theotokos | |
|---|---|
| Ukrainian: Церква Різдва Пресвятої Богородиці | |
.jpg.webp) Sambir. Church of Nativity of the Theotokos | |
| 49°30′59.33″N 23°11′49.40″E | |
| Location | Sambir |
| Country | Ukraine |
| Denomination | Greek Catholic |
| Weekly attendance | high attendance |
| History | |
| Former name(s) | Church of Nativity of the Theotokos |
| Status | acting |
| Founded | c. 1570 |
| Founder(s) | Bona Sforza, townspeoples |
| Cult(s) present | Valentine's day |
| Relics held | of St. Valentine |
History
The church was originally built from wood in the late 1570s, in the town of Sambir, (in the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth). It was commissioned by the Ruthenian (Polish: rusini), Queen of Poland and Grand Duchess of Lithuania Bona.[1]
This decision provoked protests and complaints in the multi-confessional environment of the community of Sambir.
However, the "dispute was successfully resolved in favor of the Lord"[1] and the wooden Church of Nativity of the Theotokos was built, and served until 1738, when it was rebuilt in stone.
The stone church, preserved with minor rearrangements and side-chapels, was built in 1738. Funds for its construction and design were donated by the Komarnickis, a wealthy family of Galician nobles.
The architectural lines of the building have a simple and clear form. On the facade, a balcony and loft, house statues of guardian angels. Inside, there is a painting by the artist-painter Yablonski.
References
- Sambor: Gmina miasta, 1891 (s.l.): Druk. Schwarza i Trojana, pages 21-22