The desire to walk for a long time led me to this wonderful place, which I once saw from the window of an electric train!
I chose the route of 2.7 km and my youngest daughter Darinka and I went to the grocery store in the neighboring village of Ryasne, which is the extreme point of Lviv. First through a pine forest, and then through a snowy field.
Wonderful pictures of snowy hills, shining like diamonds, were before us. And so we saw from afar the church and the cemetery near it. This was our landmark. We knew that there was an exit to the road where this supermarket is located. And we went straight to this church.
As we approached, I was surprised to see that this is the famous Church of Peter and Paul, which I saw from the window of the train, once upon a time, when I sometimes went from Lviv to Rava Ruska.
And the first thing I saw was a boat with the figures of two legendary apostles Peter and Paul. I don't know what this sculpture symbolizes, but I think it symbolizes the miracle of faith - when the disciples saw Jesus walking on the water. Here is a constant reminder to our parishioners that we receive in our lives what we believe in ...
Maybe you would think of something else if you saw these figures? But they are majestic and I would say that this building is truly a work of art that makes this church a masterpiece.
It was very cold that day when I walked around the churchyard and took a lot of photos in memory of this place. There are several separate buildings and a beautiful bell tower with three bells. In the courtyard of the church stands a statue of the Mother of God. People of our religion believe and hope for its care and kindness. And on the dome of the church there is also a sculpture of the Mother of God, who, as if with her veil from above, protects her beloved children.
There are also benches in the yard where people can sit and socialize in the warm season. Such a cozy place where parishioners can support each other and share their love. I saw children's photos on the wall of the church, and I thought that many children here are probably learning spiritual literacy.
I always want to know more about the church, so I read an interesting story in Google about the Church of the Holy Apostles Peter and Paul - a Greek Catholic church in Lviv, in the Shevchenkivskyi district of the city, in the Ryasne district.
It is known that the original building of the wooden temple on this site was destroyed during the Turkish-Tatar invasions. However, in 1672 the church and the school were restored, again in wood. This wooden building did not withstand the effects of the elements and was severely damaged during its 200 years of existence.
In 1891, according to the design of Józef Kaetan Janowski, the construction of a new stone church began, which was completed in 1895.
In 1924, the artist Ivan Domansky made a mural of the church, and in 1927 the main altar was purchased. On the main altar were magnificent images of the Holy Supreme Apostles Peter and Paul.
After the end of the Second World War, most Poles left for Poland, taking with them the images of the Holy Supreme Apostles Peter and Paul and the Mother of God. This is the end of the history of this shrine, as a Roman Catholic parish church of the Holy Supreme Apostles Peter and Paul, and its new history begins as a Greek Catholic shrine.
The first Divine Liturgy during the time of independent Ukraine was celebrated on December 10, 1989.
Gradually, the number of parishioners of the temple increased significantly, and the sanctuary was restored. In particular, two side naves and a vestibule were added, above which rose three domes, which gave the buildings of the Church of the Holy Supreme Apostles Peter and Paul an Eastern Christian look. In front of the church there is an altar in the shape of a boat, decorated with figures of the Holy Supreme Apostles Peter and Paul.
I remember this boat with the apostles as a wonderful work of art, and I am glad that I now live nearby.
Walking around the courtyard again, I saw the cross and the symbolic Way of the Cross, which allows people to reflect on the sacrifice made by Jesus Christ for the salvation of mankind ...
Looking back, thank you for such an interesting and beautiful spiritual tour that I suddenly found on my way to the store. I move on past the railway track, where the electric train rides, from the window of which I once saw this boat and the figures of the apostles for the first time. I hope you liked my story and photos :)
Thank you for your visit 😊