Turkowice, Lublin Voivodeship, Poland, October 16, 2024
Photo: orthodox.pl
On October 13, 2024, a historic event took place in Turkowice, Poland: the consecration of the new St. Paraskeva Church in the Orthodox convent. This milestone marks the ongoing revival of the monastery, which has a rich history dating back to the 14th century.
His Beatitude Metropolitan Sawa, head of the Orthodox Church in Poland, led the consecration ceremony and Divine Liturgy. He was joined by His Eminence Archbishop Abel of Lublin and Chełm and His Eminence Archbishop Paisjusz of Przemyśl and Gorlice, along with clergy and numerous pilgrims from across the country, reports the Polish Orthodox Church.
The church is dedicated to St. Paraskeva the Confessor, a little-known 20th-century saint who briefly lived in Turkowice. The new church and monastery buildings were made possible through the Common Work 2020 campaign, which involved all dioceses of the Polish Orthodox Church.
Photo: orthodox.pl
During the service, Met. Sawa emphasized the significance of this event for Polish Orthodoxy and praised Abp. Abel’s 35-year effort to rebuild Orthodox traditions in the Chełm region. Several individuals were honored for their contributions, including Abbess Elizabeth, who received the Order of St. Mary Magdalene.
The Turkowice Monastery, despite historical interruptions, continues to serve as a spiritual center for Orthodox faithful. It’s particularly known for its icon of the Mother of God of Turkowice, which attracts thousands of pilgrims annually on July 14-15.
To commemorate this occasion, the monastery published an akathist to St. Paraskeva in multiple languages.
The celebrations concluded with a communal meal, with many pilgrims staying to observe the feast of the Protection of the Mother of God the following day.
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