Religious buildings - Puszcza Białowieska - Zwolnij Naturalnie - ŁOSINKA – cerkiew p.w. Św. Apostoła Jakuba

ŁOSINKA - orthodox church of Saint. Apostle James, wooden, erected in the years 1882-1886.

The first mention of the church in Łosinka comes only from 1778, when the church was consecrated. St. James the Apostle. There are speculations that the church was moved from Nowoberezowo, although there is no confirmation of this fact in the documents. In addition, at the cemetery in Nowoberezowo there is no trace of this church, because too much time has passed. Klirovyje Viedomosti from 1847, in turn, state that the church was built by the efforts of the countess Hetman Izabela Branicka.

In 1778, the Wedding Card of the Church was prepared by priest. Benedykt Świderski. In 1805, a parish house was built, which survived to the present (unfortunately in a state of ruin). In Łosinka, priestly ministers exercised pastoral care for several generations. The return of the Units to the church occurred in 1839 when the parish priest was Fr. Benedykt Telakowski.

The church was subjected to several renovations several times, including in 1805, 1827, 1828. In 1834 a new roof was made for church money. In 1847, a tender was organized for the renovation of the parish church - renovation works were carried out in accordance with the cost estimate drawn up by the architect Ivanov in 1848. In 1863 a cemetery church was erected.

According to the ordinances of the diocesan authorities, the number of parishioners in 1878 was 2330 faithful. An increasing number of parishioners required a larger temple. Soon, the construction of a magnificent wooden church was commenced, which was solemnly dedicated on October 14, 1886. The iconostasis was created by Izaak Cypkin. Enriched by numerous material sacrifices, the temple has survived to this day.

In the 1880s church education was started, which at the end of the century spread throughout the territory of the entire parish. According to Klirovych Viedomosti from 1894, the schools were located in the villages of Krzywiec, Borysówka, Trywieża, Wasilkowo, Rzepiska, Kutowa, Kamień, Przybudki, Wólka, Krynica and Kotłówka.

After World War I the population was returning from  "bieżeństwo" and the new conditions in the parish Łosinka acquired the status of a parish plan, and part of the land was taken out of the parish. The parish house was devastated and it was only in 1925 that it was renovated by the efforts of the local parish priest. Disruption of religious life brought the period of World War II. The cemetery church was damaged and the surrounding villages were burned. Many residents evacuated to Russia and to cities. In 1962, the parish was in the deanery of Narew and Łosinka became the seat of the deanery. In the 1980s, a new parish house was built.

The parish church erected in the 19th century in the years 1994-1997 was renovated inside and outside. The iconostasis and numerous icons have been restored, gilding has been made. The outside of the church was painted, care was taken around the temple, and a brick fence was erected on the parish property.