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15 October 2018, 13:15

Lukashenko: Belarus will do everything for unity inside nation, church

MINSK, 15 October (BelTA) – Belarus will do everything to preserve the unity inside the nation and the church, Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko said as he met with members of the Holy Synod of the Russian Orthodox Church and the Synod of the Belarusian Orthodox Church on 15 October, BelTA has learned.

“I want to assure you that no matter how the situation unfolds, we will do anything to avoid antagonistic clashes between faiths and, God forbid, clashes between us, Orthodox believers, in peaceful and calm Belarus,” the Belarusian leader noted.

“We will do our best so that both our state and our people grow stronger in the Orthodox faith. Therefore I said that schism is not about us. We will do everything to preserve our unity,” the head of state said.

Alexander Lukashenko noted that developments in Ukraine have been echoing in various parts of the world. “We cannot but see it, especially here, in Belarus,” the Belarusian leader said.

He stated that the clergy have it hard sometimes, because actions of the secular government of various countries cause problems. “You have sway over people's hearts and souls. I told the patriarch that the reasons for the problems that you have to tackle lie with us, public servants. Sometimes we give rise or exacerbate some processes, including negative ones. Maybe, we should offer you apologies for what is going on in the Orthodox community today,” the president noted.

Alexander Lukashenko called for unity between peoples and inside the Orthodox Church and for joint efforts to overcome difficulties. “Let us stay together. Let us respond to these challenges actively, but with understanding,” he emphasized.

The president expressed confidence that difficulties and hardships arising along the way will be surmounted. “We know the main thing – our strength lies in unity. Today many would like to divide us. We know what happens to divided nations. Therefore, in the name of our better future and unity, we should be not only strong and keep our eyes open, we should also be wise. The church has always been known for its wisdom. I am sure that this wisdom that is many centuries old will help us overcome all hardships,” Alexander Lukashenko noted.

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