Gorlice, Poland, October 15, 2025
Photo: zrzutka.pl
The Elpis Diocesan Orthodox Cultural Center in Gorlice, Poland, is raising funds to conserve rare Cyrillic liturgical books from the historic Przemyśl Diocese region of southeastern Poland.
The center has been working for over a decade to preserve ecclesiastical prints from the area, having already rescued and restored more than 60 books that were in critical condition. Most of these volumes were printed in various Polish printing houses during the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth era, including those in Lvov, Kiev, Supraśl, Vilnius, and Przemyśl, the center reports at its fundraising page at zrzutka.pl.
This year’s conservation project focuses on four historic liturgical books:
-
A Gospel Book printed in Lvov at the Mikhail Slezka printing house in 1665, originally from Czerniłowa in the Yavorov Region
-
An Octoechos printed at the Lvov Brotherhood printing house in 1671, from Bielanka
-
A musical Irmologion printed at the Stavropegion Institute printing house in Lvov in 1858
-
A Pentecostarion printed at the Lvov Brotherhood printing house in 1688, from Ropki
Photo: zrzutka.pl
The center has received a grant from Poland’s Ministry of Culture and National Heritage covering 80% of the conservation costs, but requires additional funding to complete the project.
The fundraising campaign has raised 4,450 Polish złoty of its 10,000 złoty goal (approximately $1,210 of $2,725) with 25 days remaining. Thirty-six donors have contributed so far.
The Elpis Diocesan Orthodox Cultural Center was established in March 2000 by Fr. Roman Dubec under the direction of His Eminence Archbishop Adam of Przemyśl and Nowy Sącz. The center aims to engage Orthodox intellectuals and university students in activities supporting the Church.
Donations can be made online using Visa, Mastercard, Google Pay, Apple Pay, and other payment methods. Updates on the conservation process and results will be posted on the center’s website.
Follow OrthoChristian on Facebook, Twitter, Vkontakte, Telegram, WhatsApp, and MeWe!
