Grabarka lies a short distance east of Siemiatycze. The origin of worship on the Holy Mount dates back to the 12th century and is associated with the icon called Spasa Izbawnika (Christ the Redeemer) which, according to legend, was hidden here during the Tartar invasions. The icon has since disappeared but the memory of it and of the original cult has remained. According to accounts Grabarka became famous as a result of a miracle which occurred here during a cholera epidemic in the 18th century. As it decimated the population of the area of Podlasie, it was said that only visitors to the Holy Mount Grabarka would be saved. After the faithful arrived here from Siemiatycze and erected their cross, the miracle happened – people started to recover and no more died. When the epidemic was over a church was built which served the Uniate population and then the followers of the Orthodox Church.

After World War II, the only Orthodox convent in Poland was built next to the church in Grabarka, however it burnt down in 1990 but was rebuilt a few years later.

The Holy Mount is also called the Hill of Crosses. There are many examples of votive crosses of various sizes brought here by the faithful. It is estimated that they now number over 10,000.

Holy Mount Grabarka (woj. Podlaskie)

www.grabarka.pl