Basilica of St. Francis Xavier (Farny Church) in Grodno - the card of the city and a beautiful Catholic church of the Commonwealth. The name of "Corpus Christi" is derived from the word parafialny (parafia) - the main temple.

On such a large and beautiful church in Grodno even dreamed King Stefan Batory in the XVI century. This monarch loved Grodno and wanted to make it a great city. In the realization of his dream the king has allocated a large sum - 10 thousand zlotys (at the time the money fabulous), however, to realize our plans during his lifetime he failed.

The idea of ​​erecting a large Catholic church in Grodno settled here back in the XVII century Jesuits. After receiving permission to build, Bishop Nicholas blessed Słupsk started the construction of the church in honor of the great missionary, a personal friend of the founder of the Jesuit order Ignatius of Loyola Francis Xavier (Francisco Javier), canonized in 1619. This choice of the patron saint was not accidental. Grodno now become an outpost of Catholicism in Eastern Europe. Francis Xavier was the most successful missionary in the history of Christianity. He managed to conquer Asia, Africa, India and China.

The church was consecrated in 1705. At the consecration ceremony was attended by two foreign monarch - Peter I and Augustus II. The majestic cathedral built to catch the imagination, had a strong impression on the powerful monarchs.

Later, the Jesuits built a block including Corpus Christi Church, Monastery, Collegium, library, pharmacy and housekeeping services.

Farny church - an architectural masterpiece of the baroque style. Its wooden altar with a height of a seven-story building is decorated with 20 figures of apostles and saints. The statues are decorated with marble and graceful pillars on which they are based, lavishly gilded.

In one of the cathedral's bell mounted clockwork, which is recognized as the oldest in the world. The effect of the clock results in a huge 60-pound stone, and that drops to 15 imetrovoy height. June 23, 1987 after the restoration of the clock again and go all the Grodno hear them chime.