Orthodox church of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker

Cathedral of Saint Nicholas in Białystok, also called the church of Saint Nicholas Thaumaturge, is the main Orthodox temple in the town. The most important services are celebrated there. It is the first Orthodox church in Poland visited by John Paul II in 1991.

The 19th century cathedral was built on the plan of the Greek cross in the neo-classicist style. It is a characteristic construction applied in the Russian Orthodox church architecture from the middle of 18th century to the middle of the 19th century. The building in the main part was covered by a semi-dome. The outer walls of the temple are embellished with pilasters with capitals in Doric order, covered with leaf motifs. There are four entrances leading to the inside: the main, two side and one on the side of the sacristy.

The altar part is facing east and the church porch is located on the west side. Above it stands a bell tower. From the south-east side, the sacristy adjoins the church. Inside the temple a wooden iconostasis is situated, separating the presbytery from the naves located in the three arms of the cross. The iconostasis is decorated with, among others, images of Christ Pantocrator, the Mother of God, as well as icons of archangels Michael and Gabriel, and four evangelists. The interior walls of the temple are decorated with marvellous frescoes.

In the basement of the cathedral there is the second Orthodox church dedicated to Saint Seraphim of Sarov. An iconostasis from the beginning of the 20th century is located there. It is composed of four icons: Christ, Mother of God, Saint Seraphim of Sarov and Saint Alexander Nevsky.