Lukashenko: There are many points of contact between state, Orthodox church

The state and the Orthodox Church have many points of convergence. Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko stated this on March 14 at a meeting with the Synod of the Belarusian Orthodox Church, as reported by a BELTA correspondent.

Upon arrival at the Minsk Diocesan Administration, Alexander Lukashenko, together with Metropolitan Veniamin, visited the Church of the Council of All Belarusian Saints, where he lit a candle.

Metropolitan Veniamin invited Alexander Lukashenko to the library, where he was shown various rare books. Then the President visited the office where Metropolitan Filaret, Honorary Patriarchal Exarch of All Belarus, worked. This room in the diocesan administration is preserved in its original form.

"You did a great job preserving everything! Thank you very much for that!" said the head of state. He also recalled his meetings with Metropolitan Filaret.

The President expressed words of gratitude to Metropolitan Veniamin of Minsk and Zaslavl, Patriarchal Exarch of All Belarus, for the invitation to participate in the Synod.

"Strong foundations for interaction between the Belarusian Orthodox Church and our authorities, the state as a whole, have been laid in our country. It could not have been otherwise. The history of Orthodoxy in Belarusian lands is inextricably linked with the history of the formation of our statehood," said the President. He noted that here, at the crossroads of civilizations, military actions have repeatedly unfolded. In such conditions, it was extremely difficult for a separate people to form and assert themselves, let alone create a state.

"Belarusians succeeded. Largely thanks to the spiritual core of our ancestors. Therefore, the state and the Orthodox Church have many points of convergence," emphasized Alexander Lukashenko.

The President drew attention to the fact that the current meeting is of great importance in the current geopolitical conditions and on the eve of important political events within the country.

"We remember how in 2020 some priests (unfortunately, some Orthodox ones too) got involved in politics, to put it mildly. I will say that there are special institutions and trained people in the state for this. The Church's business is to set moral Christian guidelines," said Alexander Lukashenko.

Addressing the Synod participants, the Head of State proposed to focus on the following issues: is everything being done to ensure that outsiders with ill intentions do not enter Belarusian churches, do not change traditions, and do not dictate how to live.

"As President and head of a multi-confessional state, in which the Belarusian Orthodox Church plays not the main, but a special role, I would like to hear what the Church lacks and what else the state needs to do, where we might have missed the situation. To approach the issues that need to be resolved today in a pragmatic way," said the Belarusian leader. "What practical part of the work to heal the ailments of our society are you ready to take on? Is the Church itself ready to change, without altering its spiritual ideals and values?"

Alexander Lukashenko called on all those present for an open, thorough communication: "The main thing is that our conversation, as always, should be honest, sincere, and frank."

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