MINSK, 8 April (BelTA) – Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko met with Metropolitan Filaret, Honorary Patriarchal Exarch of All Belarus on 8 April, BelTA has learned.
The meeting took place in the Minsk diocesan office of the Belarusian Orthodox Church. Alexander Lukashenko and Metropolitan Filaret warmly greeted each other.
Alexander Lukashenko said: “Today I've decided to come to your house chapel, which I like very much. I would like to wish Happy Easter to the Belarusian nation on your behalf and my own. It is the most desired holiday of our nation. You know it well. This is why let me congratulate you and the entire Belarusian nation on this bright holiday and wish it good and happiness.”
The head of state traditionally visits the country's leading Belarusian temple — the Cathedral Church of the Descent of the Holy Spirit — on Christmas but prefers celebrating Easter in small isolated churches. This time he has chosen the house chapel in honor of the Synaxis of the Saints of Belarus. The president personally wished a happy past birthday and Happy Easter to Metropolitan Filaret.
Alexander Lukashenko and his son Nikolai lit a candle in the house chapel and exchanged gifts.
The head of state gifted an Easter basket and an Easter egg, which had been made using the Sozh filigree technique, to Metropolitan Filaret. Metropolitan Filaret presented an Easter egg with a picture of the Christ Resurrection icon to Alexander Lukashenko.
