Polychromy in the Cathedral Church of St. Nicholas in Białystok – An Attempt at Systematization

Abstract

The Cathedral of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker in Białystok is one of the oldest churches in the city. It was built during the period of partitions by a Russian architect on the site of an old wooden church, and was originally designed by Mikhail Avilov. Throughout its long history, the cathedral has undergone numerous renovations and restorations. Despite this, it has retained its unique style and symbolism. The polychromy was restored by Józef Łotowski in the second half of the 20th century and later refreshed by Krzysztof Stawecki in the first decade of the 21st century. The church’s iconographic layout is a multi-layered record of theology and of local tradition. One can discern interconnected cycles, depictions of saints of particular and symbolic significance for the Polish Orthodox Church, as well as scenes and figures common to many churches. The arrangement and placement of individual elements of the polychromy emphasize the cycle of the Divine Liturgy, church traditions, and also serve to educate and admonish the faithful towards the pursuit of eternal life.
The subject of the polychromy of the Cathedral of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker in Białystok has not been previously explored. This work provides a detailed description and cataloging of the church’s polychromy in order to deepen its understanding and facilitate study. However, despite the extensive material, certain aspects of the artwork are intentionally left open so that it may serve as a foundation for future research.