Three Icons Belonging To A Former Political Prisoner And Priest Were Sold At Auction

The oldest of them was written in the 18th century.

In Belarus, three icons were sold at auction belonging to the former political prisoner and priest Heinrich Okolotovich, who was convicted under the article for “treason against the state.” This information appeared on the “BelYurObespechenie” website. Only one person expressed interest in purchasing the icons, so the auction did not take place. The sole bidder agreed to take them at the asking price, according to “Zerkalo”.

The icons in question are “Our Lady of the Three Joys,” “Great Martyr Paraskeva Pyatnitsa,” and “Christ’s Resurrection from the Tomb.” They were sold in July.

The icon “Our Lady of the Three Joys” was painted in the late 19th–early 20th century. It was valued at 500 rubles.

“Great Martyr Paraskeva Pyatnitsa” dates from the 19th to the early 20th century. It was listed at 700 rubles.

The icon “Christ’s Resurrection from the Tomb” is the oldest of the three. It was painted in the late 18th century. It sold for 3,200 rubles.

The lot descriptions state that these are seized assets, meaning the proceeds from their sale will go to the state.

In May, another icon by Heinrich Okolotovich—“Saint Julian, Bishop of Kenomania”—was sold on the “BelYurObespechenie” website. The buyer paid 700 rubles for it.

According to Brest-based “Viasna,” on July 2, the auction also sought to sell a plot of land belonging to Okolotovich, located in the village of Novaya Mysh in the Baranovichi District. However, no one came forward to purchase it.

As a reminder, Henrikh Okolotovich—a priest from Volozhin—was sentenced to 11 years in a maximum-security prison under the charge of “treason against the state.” The former political prisoner was released on November 20, 2025, “by pardon.” After his release, Okolotovich and another pardoned priest—Andrzej Yukhnevich—were taken to the Vatican.

As reported, in the Vatican they promised that for at least one year after their release, they would not make any statements, give any speeches, or engage in any public activities.

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