Church of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Sambir

If you are looking for your soul mate or want to cement your relationship with a loved one, visit the Church of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Sambir. At first glance, the Church of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary does not look much different from other churches in the city. But it houses two relics that attract many people to Sambir.

The Church of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary is a Greek Catholic church in the city of Sambir, Lviv region, an architectural monument of local significance (protection number 798-M). It is the home of two relics - the Sambir Miraculous Icon of the Blessed Virgin Mary and a part of the relics of St. Valentine, the legendary patron saint of lovers. It is the same Valentine who, despite the Roman emperor's ban, secretly married lovers, becoming their patron saint. In 1759, the Pope confirmed the authenticity of the relics with a special document. Every year the church receives many pilgrims who come to ask for personal and family happiness.

The townspeople received permission to build a church in the center of Sambir on January 20, 1554. The same year (according to other sources, in 1558) a wooden church was built. The modern brick church was built in 1738, next to the old wooden church, at the expense of a Ukrainian nobleman, the grandfather of the village of Radlovychi, Ilya Komarnytskyi and his wife Olena.

In 1841, the church was restored and painted, and in 1855 an arched narthex was added to house portraits of the church's deacons. Ten years later, in 1865, the church underwent another reconstruction: the church premises were expanded, an altar was added, and an iconostasis by Mykhailo Fedorchak from Przeszow was installed. At least some of the icons were painted by Jablonski. In 1886, the painter Sysiński renewed the icons and thrones, and in 1893, the exterior of the church was restored. In 1894-1895, master Kornylo Ustianovych painted the walls from the inside.

In the first third of the twentieth century, the church was repeatedly repaired. Thus, in 1900, a porch was added, which was later replaced by a porch for services during holidays, and the chancel was decorated. In 1908, the plebeian was dismantled, and the material was used to build the church's bell tower, and in 1912, the side naves were added. In 1841, the church was restored and painted, and in 1855, an arched narthex was added, where portraits of the church's catechists were placed. Ten years later, in 1865, the church underwent another reconstruction: the church premises were expanded, an altar was added, and an iconostasis by Mykhailo Fedorchak from Przeszow was installed. At least some of the icons were painted by Jablonski. In 1886, the painter Sysiński renewed the icons and thrones, and in 1893, the exterior of the church was restored. In 1894-1895, master Kornylo Ustianovych painted the walls from the inside.

In 1935, the painter Volodymyr Zaporizhzhia renewed the interior paintings of the church and added to them. In the same year, during the repair and restoration work, a dungeon was found under the main altar, where the burial of the church's catechists, the Komarnicki couple and their daughter, was discovered.

Some restoration work was also carried out during the Soviet era, in particular in the 1960s and 1980s.

After World War II, the Church of the Nativity of the Virgin Mary was transferred to the Russian Orthodox Church. In 1992, the church was transferred to the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church.

The Church of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary was built in the Baroque style. The building is single-domed and has the shape of a cross.

The church houses a miraculous icon of the Mother of God. According to legend, the evangelist Luke painted it on a cypress wood board. In 1727, the first miracle occurred - the icon cried. Subsequently, cases of healing before the image of the Sambir Icon of the Virgin Mary became known.

The Church of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Sambir is always open to those who wish to receive a blessing for a happy personal life. It is most crowded on February 13, when the relics of St. Valentine are brought out for worship. The church is located near the local town hall and organ hall. You can walk from them.