Assumption Church, Verkhovyna

Verkhovyna, an urban-type settlement in Ivano-Frankivsk region, is famous for its amazing nature, a large number of architectural monuments, unique Hutsul flavor and health-improving climate. There are ski slopes and many recreation centers and specialized sanatoriums. The name Verkhovyna corresponds to the location of the settlement. Most of the town is covered by mountain peaks, and one of the villages is one of the highest mountain settlements in the country.

It is here that the Church of the Assumption is located, which is ranked as one of the largest religious buildings in Ukraine, built of wood. The monument is made in the Hutsul style, perfectly reflecting the local flavor. The construction of the temple dates back to the 18th century. The rectangular building of the church under a silver roof with four domes is located behind a neat wooden and stone fence and carved gates of similar architecture. The facade of the church is painted in bright yellow color. Near the Church of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary built a wooden three-tiered bell tower. Surrounded by dense tall deciduous trees in summer or shrouded in snow drifts in winter, the church looks like a fairy-tale house.

The church was built around 1675 and is mentioned in the tax register of the Polish state, which is now stored in the Crown Treasure Archive of the Main Archive of Ancient Records in Warsaw. Therefore, we can say that the parish is one of the oldest in the Verkhovyna region.

The first church was in the form of a shop, without a cross or dome. It had no windows. Instead, there were board shutters that were opened in warm weather to illuminate the room. In cloudy weather, the shrine was illuminated by two wooden lanterns.

The church did not have a bell tower. A small bell hung on the Babynka, the main entrance to the church. This first church of the Virgin Mary in the form of a shop was built at the expense of Ihnata and Stefura. Based on archival data, researcher Petro Siredzhuk, Doctor of Historical Sciences, local historian, writes about this.

Later, the church mentioned above was built: "The church in Zhab'ya was ancient and low. It was consecrated by the dean of the Kosiv deanery, Vasyl Nikorovych. The shrine on the altar had a crowned image of the Virgin Mary, a carved cross, four wooden images with painted apostles, and two painted canvas banners. There were two bells hanging on the porch. The doors were locked with an iron padlock."

According to a bishop's visitation in 1745, the priest in the church was Hryhorii Tsarevych. According to the same visitation, 569 people attended the church.

In 1832, a church school was mentioned at the Zhabievska church.

In 1906, the Prosvita reading room was organized, headed by Father Konrad Lagola. The clergy of the Verkhovyna region belonged to two opposing camps in terms of political orientation. They were radicals and Muscovites. Konrad Lahola belonged to the radical camp.

The church in Zhab'ya was a spiritual and cultural center. The traditions and life of the Hutsuls were combined with Christianity.

During the Second World War, in 1944, the shrine burned down and this was the third church built in Verkhovyna. It can be seen in the photographs that have survived. There are still people alive who remember how it looked not only outside but also inside. They say that that church was very large. Even bigger than the current church in Verkhovyna.

In 1991, at the expense of Verkhovyna residents, with the assistance of the then authorities, the efforts and authority of Father Dmytro Mykhavkiv, the work and organizational skills of Andrii Khrapchuk, and the efforts of the entire Verkhovyna community, construction of the church began in the then school garden, not far from the place where the church was located, which was destroyed in the fire of war.

In 1994, on the feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the first Divine Liturgy was celebrated. Until then, services were held in a temporarily constructed building. The service was performed by the dean of Verkhovyna, Dmytro Mykhavkiv.

August 28, 1994 was a historic day for the parish.