окремі сюжети
Poland, Szczawne, Church of St. Demetrius
In 1492, historical sources mention an Orthodox priest named Stanko. Later tax registers also confirm the presence of a priest, and thus a church in the village. During Austrian rule, Shchavne served as a parish center with a filial church in Kulyashne.
It is known that in the early 18th century, the church in Shchavne burned down, and in its place, a new one was built in 1703. This church likely stood until around 1887 when it was also destroyed by fire. On the same site, a new wooden Church of the Dormition of the Blessed Virgin Mary was constructed in 1888 by carpenter Hoisan from Polonna. It was renovated in 1925, at which time the Kyiv artists-emigrés, owners of the iconographic workshop Vidrodzhennia in Przemyśl, carried out interior paintings. The polychrome paintings were executed by Borys Palii-Neilo, Pavlo Zaporizkyi, Mykola Prasnytskyi, Yurko Krykh, and Semen Ostapchuk. One of the artists, Borys Palii, was an officer of the Ukrainian People’s Republic Army and a special assignments general under the command of Symon Petliura.
The three-section structure stands on a stone foundation, covered by a continuous tin roof traditionally painted green or blue. Above the narthex, a small turret has been built. A sacristy is attached to the sanctuary on the right. In front of the church stands a three-tiered, frame-constructed bell tower.
Apart from the paintings, an incomplete iconostasis has been preserved in the church.
The church sustained damage during frontline battles in 1944. After the expulsion of Ukrainians, it stood unused until 1959, when the authorities sold it for dismantling. This was prevented by returning villagers who had been deported. Since the authorities allowed the establishment of Orthodox communities, the people seized this opportunity, and since 1962 the church has been Orthodox.
