FROM THE DEPTH OF THE EARTH AND TIME
“Krynitsa”, stream, spring… The symbol of purity, fertility and life itself. Springs have always been for Belarusians a place of attraction. Today they are a wonderful fusion of natural resources and millennial traditions.
FROM BLUE STREAM
Springs are natural outlets of underwater on the surface of the earth. 30% of water, on average, feeding rivers are considered to come from coastal and underchannel sources. For this reason rivers flow even in dry seasons and under ice.
To tell the truth , sometimes in the result of wrong reclamation or other work they are hiding. As it is known from the stories of watchmen and internet resources there were about 12 springs on the territory of Voronovo district. But some of them disappeared over the time. According to the information of Voronovo district inspection of natural resources the location of four springs are known: Saint George spring in the village of Osova, a stream of hope in the village of Voykuntsy, and springs in Gaitunishki and Mantuny.
FAITH IN HEALING
Springs were of no small importance in the spiritual life of the Belarusian people. The water was pure, had great taste quality, and very often healing properties. That’s why since ancient time people thought that springs had magic properties and worshiped them. With the adoption of Christianity people began to consider springs saint. For this reason places of worship were built near the springs and Christian symbols – crosses and icons were set up. May be the spring of Saint George became the main reason for building a local catholic church – the church of Saint George.
WITH ENTHUSIASM AND BIG LOVE FOR NATURE
Yan Petyun, today’s priest of the church read in the old Latin sources that the water in this spring was healing. An article of our countryman who had been living in Poland for a long time was published in a Polish newspaper. In this article he told about the church, the village of the 1930-s of the last century, and also mentioned the well, healing people: “There was a well with water spring. Near the well a steel peg with a nail was lying, you could hang a bucket or a cup, or a bottle on it. You could reach the bottom of the well with your hand.” Priest Yan found this spring. It is situated near the house of the priest. Thanks to the enthusiasts, the spring was cleaned, the bath was circled with stones, a wooden well was made and decorated with flower compositions.
On the centenary of the church the spring was consecrated by the bishop Alexander Kashkevich. According to the words of local inhabitants healing properties of the spring help to cure epilepsy.
CALMNESS, WATER SURFACE AND GOD’S GRACE
Limnokren feeds an artificial pond – one of the elements of the cascade of artificial ponds. Despite the fact that the day was hot, there was coolness around. It gave freshness to the air. A family walk here will give much pleasure. You can see all the territory in full view, there are tables with benches in the park zone, swings. Near the spring there is a bridge to the island of solitude. In addition to the composition there is a wooden wheel, which sets in motion even from the light wind and reminds us about the whirlwind of life.
And how many relaxing sounds are here… Jolly birds singing coming from the nearest forest. Rustle of reeds, circling the ponds, even an extended croaking of frogs provides a special therapy.
Visiting the church brings calmness and, certainly, an unusual interest. A century history of the catholic church, sounds of the ancient organ and talks with the priest about spiritual. Do you hesitate about going to Osova?
A SOURCE OF KNOWLEDGE AND AMBITIONS
A picturesque location of the spring attracts not only people from the surrounding villages but also tourists. Some years ago a group of young researchers under the leadership of the teacher of Geography from Pogorodno Margarita Ivanovna Kasperovich started monitoring the condition of the springs on the territory of Pogorodno . The slogan of their action was: “A primitive man fought for fire, an ancient man – for gold, a modern man for oil. Tomorrow the mankind will fight for water.”
Other pupils of the school also joined the researchers Ilya Kasperovich and Marta Ladysh, they began volunteers to keep the territory of the spring of Saint George in order, also they helped to study other springs. The research work done in 2018 describes four springs: Saint George, “Nameless”, “Meadow”, and “Iron”. There are also plans for improvement of the territory. We hope that “folk trail will not overgrow”…
Galina Shlempo
Photo by Sergey Grichik
Translated by Zinaida Tserpitskaya