Lukashenko discussed with Metropolitan Benjamin the creation of religious centers and preparations for the celebration of significant dates
President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko held a meeting with Metropolitan of Minsk and Zaslavl Veniamin, Patriarchal Exarch of All Belarus, on February 25, BELTA correspondent reports.
"It is good, Your Eminence, that we are meeting after our joint, as you say, "conciliar" meeting of representatives of all churches (referring to the meeting of the head of state with representatives of religious denominations on February 10. - BELTA note). It is important for me to know your opinion in this regard. Especially regarding the creation of certain centers for our religions. I know that our Orthodox Church has always been zealous towards everything parallel, but they are also zealous towards everything. Therefore, your opinion is very important to me here," said Alexander Lukashenko.
This year, the Belarusian Orthodox Church celebrates dates significant for the entire Orthodox world. These are the 555th anniversary of the acquisition of the miraculous Zhirovichi Icon of the Mother of God and the 505th anniversary of the Holy Assumption Zhirovichi Stavropegial Men's Monastery. Festive events will take place in May. In addition, the 900th anniversary of the founding of the Holy Euphrosyne Stavropegial Women's Monastery in Polotsk will be celebrated in June.
- Patriarch Kirill expected in Polotsk for the 900th anniversary of the Holy Euphrosyne Convent
- Metropolitan Veniamin spoke about the importance of restoring lost shrines
- Metropolitan Veniamin named the main spiritual centers of Belarusian Orthodoxy
"We will visit Zhirovichi in the spring, when nature will be in full bloom and flourishing, and we will see what else needs to be done there to make it worthy. Because, no matter how you look at it, the Orthodox Church accounts for over 80 percent of believers among our population, it is the main religion, the main confession, and it should be worthy in Zhirovichi. So that others can see how it should be done and what we want to do," the President emphasized. "And the issues of our Orthodoxy. Perhaps there are some questions for the authorities - I am ready to discuss them."