Church of the Resurrection, Zolochiv

TheChurch of the Resurrection of the Lord is an Orthodox (OCU) church in the city of Zolochiv, Lviv region, a former church; a striking historical and architectural monument of the seventeenth century. It owes its appearance to the Polish nobleman Jakub Sobieski, who was an active public figure.

Initially, the building was used as a parish Catholic church for the Bernardines in 1624-7 by order of the then owner of the city, Jakob (Jakub) Sobieski, in honor of the birth of his children from his second marriage to Theophilia of the Danyłowicz family. Today, however, it is a functioning Orthodox church. The building is a monument of Renaissance architecture of national importance. Having overcome such a long and difficult path, the church still exists, never ceasing to amaze tourists with its antiquity and preservation.

The church was built in the Renaissance style and consecrated as the Church of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary and St. Jatsko. The first wife and two daughters from Jakub's first marriage are buried in the crypts of the church.

In 1691, the church, bell tower, and outbuildings were destroyed by a large fire in the city. After that, the church and bell tower were restored. In particular, a new bell for the church was made with a donation from King Jan III Sobieski of Poland. The bell was engraved with the royal coat of arms and two medals with portraits of King John III and his wife Maria Kazimierz with Latin inscriptions and the outlines of angels above them.

In 1772, the Austro-Hungarian occupation authorities closed the monasteries and transferred the Church of the Resurrection to the Catholic community of Zolochiv.

In 1838, the Catholic and Orthodox communities of the city exchanged churches, so this church, already consecrated under the title of the Resurrection of the Lord, was transferred to the Greek Catholic and later to the Orthodox Ukrainian community of the city.

At present (2020), the Church of the Resurrection in Zolochiv belongs to the Zolochiv Deanery of the Lviv-Sokal Diocese of the OCU.

On January 11, 2020, the relics of the Holy Apostle Andrew the First-Called were brought to the city of Zolochiv, namely to the Church of the Resurrection of Christ, for the first time.

Zolochiv is a wonderful town that attracts tourists with its picturesque countryside, ancient architecture, traditions and convenient location (it is located between Lviv and Ternopil). Its highlight is the Zolochiv Castle.