Difference between revisions of "Grabarka"

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The '''Holy Mount of Grabarka''' (''Święta Góra Grabarka'' in Polish) is considered to be the holiest location in [[Poland]] for Orthodox Christians.  It is the site of the Church of the [[Transfiguration]] of the Lord and is home to the women's [[monastery]] of Ss. [[Martha|Marta]] and [[Mary of Bethany|Maria]]. The most prominent and well-known feature of Grabarka is the forest of crosses surrounding the Church, all brought to the Mount by [[pilgrim]]s.
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==History==
 
The history of the Mount dates back to the 13th century, when during a Tartar invasion an [[icon]] of [[Jesus Christ|Spas Izbawnik]] (Jesus Christ) was taken from the nearby church of Mielnik and hidden in the forests of Grabarka to prevent its theft or destruction.
 
 
 
A second [[miracle]] occurred at Grabarka in 1710 during a deadly outbreak of cholera in the region. According to legend, one day an old man received an order from God to lead the people to the Mount at Grabarka, to set there a holy cross and to pray for salvation. The sick villagers followed the instructions of the old man, and the epidemic ended almost instantly. To commemorate this miracle, the local people decided to build a chapel at Grabarka.
 
 
 
In 1884-1895 a new [[church]] was built. After the First World War, the church was in good condition. The church also survived the destruction that occurred to many buildings during the Second World War.
 
 
 
In 1947 with a blessing of [[Archbishop]] Tymoteusz of Bialystok and Gdansk, a [[nun]] chose the Holy Mount for a Monastery of Ss. Martha and Mary. Homeless sisters from [[monastery|monasteries]] which were closed down or situated behind the new borders of Poland took up residence there. In 1956 the second church of the Icon of the [[Mother of God Joy of All Who Sorrow|Mother of God "Happiness of All Crestfallen"]], along with nuns' cells bordering on the church, were [[consecration of a church|consecrated]]. A house for [[priest]]s serving at the Holy Mount was also built. During the 1960s the Church of [[Transfiguration]] of Christ was renovated. In 1980 a new brick monastic building with refectory of [[Dormition]] of the Mother of God was built.
 
 
 
In 1990 a tragic event took place: A fire was set in the church of Transfiguration of the Lord. Fire completely consumed the temple, and even the bells melted. Reconstruction started immediately, the effect of which was the consecration of a newly built church by [[Metropolitan]] [[Sawa (Hrycuniak) of Poland|Sawa]] on [[May 17]], 1998.
 
 
 
==Pilgrimage==
 
The Holy Mount of Grabarka has been a center for [[pilgrimage]] for Orthodox Christians from Poland and other countries since the 18th century. Especially noteworthy is the [[feast]] of the Transfiguration of Christ in [[August 6|August]], which draws about 100,000 believers from all over Europe. It is traditional for them arrive at Grabarka by foot, some of them bearing the wooden crosses that can be seen surrounding the Church.
 
 
 
==External links==
 
*[http://www.grabarka.pl Official website of The Holy Mount Grabarka]
 
*[http://www.orthodox.pl/OrthodoxEng/glowna.htm Polish Autocephalous Orthodox Church]
 
*[http://www.staypoland.com/about_grabarka.htm About Grabarka] StayPoland.com
 
 
 
[[Category:Pilgrimage Sites]]
 

Revision as of 11:26, June 10, 2008

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