ZHIROVICHI, 19 September (BelTA) - No one should be forced to embrace religion, but conditions must be created to encourage young people to attend church, Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko said during his visit to the Holy Dormition Zhirovichi Metropolitan Male Monastery, BelTA has learned.
During a conversation with Metropolitan Veniamin, the head of state discussed the topic of teaching traditional values to the younger generation and introducing youth to religion. Aleksandr Lukashenko emphasized that no one should be forced to attend church. “No one should be forced, but conditions must be created to attract young people [to church],” the president said. He emphasized the important role of the church in laying spiritual and moral foundations. However, at the same time, flexibility must be shown on certain issues, taking modern realities into account in order to be closer to the people. "We cannot remake them [the youth]. There are some things you could try to change, but we cannot radically remake them. Therefore, we must adapt somewhat to ensure our people remain connected to the church," the head of state emphasized.
"There is no need to remake anyone, but we can try to make adjustments,” Metropolitan Veniamin agreed.
The president noted that, at this stage, Belarus has been handling this task successfully. "So far, things are working in Belarus, like nowhere else. But this is also our misfortune as there is envy and so on,” Aleksandr Lukashenko added.
According to clergy, trends such as "monasterying" are gaining popularity among young people in Belarus, as well as in other countries. As Metropolitan Veniamin explained, this involves people visiting a monastery to "unplug from the internet and their phones, to live and work there for a time."
"Just as long as they aren't ‘unplugging’ in their own way here," the president remarked, alluding to the slang meaning of the term among youth.
"In that regard, everything is strict," the head of state was assured.
"There is no need to remake anyone, but we can try to make adjustments,” Metropolitan Veniamin agreed.
The president noted that, at this stage, Belarus has been handling this task successfully. "So far, things are working in Belarus, like nowhere else. But this is also our misfortune as there is envy and so on,” Aleksandr Lukashenko added.
According to clergy, trends such as "monasterying" are gaining popularity among young people in Belarus, as well as in other countries. As Metropolitan Veniamin explained, this involves people visiting a monastery to "unplug from the internet and their phones, to live and work there for a time."
"Just as long as they aren't ‘unplugging’ in their own way here," the president remarked, alluding to the slang meaning of the term among youth.
"In that regard, everything is strict," the head of state was assured.
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