Orthodox Church

Vanishing lives: Descendants of 17th century bearded radicals who fled to Poland from Russia to avoid religious persecution are now facing a new crisis as their numbers slowly dwindle out

The dwindling religious group known as Old Believers is a group of Orthodox Christians who separated from the Eastern Orthodox Church after a schism in the 17th century. There are currently around 1,000 left in Poland. Pictured the gate and gatekeepers house at the Monastery of the Savior and the Holy Trinity in Wojnowo. Kalbar/TFN

It is easy to miss their presence - the three-barred crosses, the wooden banyas and the modest churches – unless you know what to look for. TFN travelled to the regions of Mazury and Suwalszczyzna in north-east Poland to track down the Old Believers, a minority which has almost disappeared, yet which still lingers among the hills, fields and virgin forests in the land of a thousand lakes.

Orthodox ceremonies held at Grabarka shrine

The Transfiguration of Christ, one of the Great Feasts of the Orthodox Church, was celebrated on Monday on the Holy Mount of Grabarka, eastern Poland, the traditional pilgrimage centre for Orthodox Christians in the country.

Poland shines at international comp with beautiful modern-day icons continuing a long tradition of sacred art

The New Epiphany of Beauty competition at the Icon Museum in the 15th century town of Supraśl, collects and preserves 21st Century icons. The museum has one of the richest collections of icons in Poland from the past three centuries.

PM sends Xmas wishes to Orthodox Church

I want to convey my most cordial wishes to all members of the Eastern Church in Poland. Let this feast bring you happiness, understanding, forgiveness and warmth, PM Mateusz Morawiecki tweeted on the eve of the Orthodox Church's Christmas Day (on or around January 7).

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