The Cathedral of St. Francis Xavier Church (the parish Church) in Hrodna – the visiting card of the city and beautiful Roman Catholic Church of the Commonwealth. The name "parish" comes from the word parish (parafia) – the main temple.

For such a large and beautiful Church in Grodno wanted another king Stefan Batory in the XVI century. This monarch was very fond of Grodno and wanted to make it a great city. The realization of his dream the king had allocated a large sum to 10 thousand zlotys (money fabulous), however, to realize our plans in life, he failed.

The idea of erecting a large Catholic Church in Grodno returned settled there in the seventeenth century the Jesuits. After receiving the building permit, Bishop Nicholas of Slupsk blessed the beginning of the construction of the Church in honor of the great missionary, a personal friend of the founder of the Jesuits Ignatius of Loyola, Francis Xavier (Francisco Javier), who was beatified in 1619. This choice of the patron Saint was not accidental. Grodno was now to be the Outpost of Catholicism in Eastern Europe. Francis Xavier was the most successful missionary in the history of Christianity. He managed to conquer the countries of Asia, Africa, India and China.

The Church was consecrated in 1705. At the ceremony of consecration was attended by the two foreign monarch – Peter I and Augustus II. The majestic Cathedral, built to capture the imagination, had a strong impression on the powerful crowned heads.

Later the Jesuits was built a quarter, which included the parish Church, monastery, College, library, pharmacy and housekeeping services.

The parish Church is an architectural masterpiece of the Baroque style. Its wooden altar tall with a seven-story building is decorated with 20 figures of apostles and saints. The statues are decorated with marble, and graceful columns on which they rely, richly gilt.

In one of the bell towers of the Cathedral mounted clock mechanism, which is recognized as the oldest in the world. To watch the action leads to a huge 60-kg stone that falls from 15-katrovas height. 23 June 1987 after restoration go back and watch all Grodno hear their bells ringing.