Church of the Transfiguration, Zaluzhzhia
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| Church of the Transfiguration | |
|---|---|
Церква Преображення Господнього | |
.jpg) Fortified Transfiguration Church | |
| Religion | |
| Affiliation | Orthodox Church of Ukraine |
| Location | |
| Location | Zaluzhzhia, Zbarazh urban hromada, Ternopil Raion, Ternopil Oblast |
  Shown within Ternopil Oblast | |
| Coordinates | 49°40′19″N 25°45′4″E / 49.67194°N 25.75111°E |
| Architecture | |
| Completed | 1600 |
| Official name | Церква Преображення Господнього (Church of the Transfiguration) |
| Type | Architecture |
| Reference no. | 190010 |
Church of the Transfiguration (Ukrainian: Церква Преображення Господнього) is a fortified church (OCU) located in Zaluzhzhia in Ternopil Raion, Ternopil Oblast, Ukraine. It is an architectural monument of national importance[1] dating back to the early 17th century, located on top of Chernecha Mountain and surrounded by forest. The church is part of the National Reserve "Castles of Ternopil Oblast".[2][3]
The site of the modern church was previously occupied by the St. Onuphrius monastery, founded by a Kyiv monk in 1240 on Chernecha Mountain. Initially, it was a wooden hermitage, and by 1480, it had become a monastery. In the 14th century, the monastery was built near the walls of the Staryi Zbarazh Castle. The monastery had a defensive purpose, was surrounded by a stone wall with loopholes, and was connected to the castle by an underground passage. Due to Tatar raids and military turmoil, the monastery was destroyed several times. In particular, it was destroyed by the Tatar troops of Aidora in 1474, restored by the owner of Zbarazh, Semen Zbaraski, in 1480, and then destroyed again by the Tatars in 1589. Archaeological excavations have revealed a layer of charred wood and ash, indicating frequent fires.[3][2]
In 1600, on the site of the St. Onuphrius Monastery, the Church of the Transfiguration of the Lord was built with a donation from Ivan Zbarazkyi. The date of completion of construction is confirmed by the foundation inscription above the entrance to the church in Old Slavonic. The inscription mentions that the church was built during the time of Janusz Zbaraski, Voivode of Bratslav, and through the efforts of Grzegorz Nowicki, Starosta of Zbarazh. Thanks to Dmytro Vyshnevetskyi, in 1682 the church once again became a monastery church, which has survived to this day.[3][2]
At the end of the 17th century, when Zbarazh belonged to Prince Dmytro Vyshnevetskyi, restoration work was carried out. At the same time, the Holy Savior Monastery, built of stone, began to be rebuilt on the foundations of the old monastery. The monastery grounds were surrounded by a stone wall with loopholes and ramparts with a palisade.[3]
In 1788, the monastery buildings were sold and dismantled, and the stone was used to build a farmstead. From the end of the 18th century, the Holy Savior Church has functioned as a parish church.[3]