Orthodoxy was planted in Latvia in the 11th century, when it became a mission field of the diocese of Polotsk.
After Polatsk was captured by the Russian army in 1563, the Vitebsk government was no longer able to protect its property from the attacks of the Grand Duchy of Moscow.
Maladzyechna Voblast incorporated 10 raions (Ivenets from Baranavichy; Braslav, Vidzy, Glubokoye, Dzisna, Dokshitsi, Dunilovichi, Miory, Plisa and Sharkovshchina from Polatsk) from the two Voblasts with its size growing from 14.8 to 24.3 thousand square kilometres.