MINSK, 25 February (BelTA) – Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko met with Metropolitan of Minsk and Zaslavl Veniamin, Patriarchal Exarch of All Belarus, BelTA learned.
“It is good that we have met after our, as you say, ‘synodical’ meeting of representatives of all denominations [the meeting of the head of state with representatives of religious denominations on 10 February]. It is important for me to know your opinion in this regard, especially in terms of the idea to set up centers of our religions. I know that our Orthodox Church has always been cautious about the presence of institutions of other faiths. But they do too. So your opinion is very important for me here,” Aleksandr Lukashenko noted.
Metropolitan Veniamin informed the head of state about the current state of affairs in the Belarusian Orthodox Church and the developments, including in furtherance of the meeting held on 10 February. “I would like to enlist your support in terms of some matters, to hear your opinion,” the Patriarchal Exarch said. “But, first of all, I would like to thank you for the care about the spiritual centers. We have Zhirovichi and Polotsk. These are two such centers that attract attention of people from around the world, not only Belarusians.”
In accordance with the State Investment Program, assistance was provided for the restoration of historical and cultural monuments: Transfiguration Church in Polotsk (historical and cultural value of the 12th century) and the Zhirovichi Holy Dormition Monastery. “This is a very important spiritual heritage,” Metropolitan Veniamin said.
Today the Belarusian Orthodox Church has 1,669 religious communities with 1,879 clergymen. There are 36 monasteries, one mission, 13 brotherhoods and 9 sisterhoods, and 6 spiritual educational institutions in Belarus. There are 1,880 churches in the country; another 153 are under construction.
The Agreement on Cooperation between the Republic of Belarus and the Belarusian Orthodox Church was concluded in 2003. Its implementation is facilitated by the coordination council for joint programs of cooperation between state administration bodies and the Belarusian Orthodox Church headed by the Commissioner for Religious and Ethnic Affairs.
“It is good that we have met after our, as you say, ‘synodical’ meeting of representatives of all denominations [the meeting of the head of state with representatives of religious denominations on 10 February]. It is important for me to know your opinion in this regard, especially in terms of the idea to set up centers of our religions. I know that our Orthodox Church has always been cautious about the presence of institutions of other faiths. But they do too. So your opinion is very important for me here,” Aleksandr Lukashenko noted.
This year the Belarusian Orthodox Church celebrates the anniversaries that are important for the entire Orthodox world. This includes the 555th anniversary of the discovery of the miraculous Zhirovichi Icon of the Mother of God and the 505th anniversary of the Holy Dormition Stavropegic Monastery in Zhirovichi. The festive events will be held in May. In June, the country will celebrate the 900th anniversary of the founding of the Savior-St Euphrosyne Stavropegic Convent in Polotsk.
“You and I will travel to Zhirovichi in the spring when it is warm and when plants are blooming. We will see what more needs to be done there to make everything of the highest quality. Because, no matter how you look at it but more than 80% of believers in our country are Orthodox Christians. It is the main religion, confession, and it should be represented at the highest level in Zhirovichi,” the president said. “In terms of matters of our Orthodoxy... Maybe you have some questions for the authorities? I am ready to discuss them.”
Metropolitan Veniamin informed the head of state about the current state of affairs in the Belarusian Orthodox Church and the developments, including in furtherance of the meeting held on 10 February. “I would like to enlist your support in terms of some matters, to hear your opinion,” the Patriarchal Exarch said. “But, first of all, I would like to thank you for the care about the spiritual centers. We have Zhirovichi and Polotsk. These are two such centers that attract attention of people from around the world, not only Belarusians.”
In accordance with the State Investment Program, assistance was provided for the restoration of historical and cultural monuments: Transfiguration Church in Polotsk (historical and cultural value of the 12th century) and the Zhirovichi Holy Dormition Monastery. “This is a very important spiritual heritage,” Metropolitan Veniamin said.
Today the Belarusian Orthodox Church has 1,669 religious communities with 1,879 clergymen. There are 36 monasteries, one mission, 13 brotherhoods and 9 sisterhoods, and 6 spiritual educational institutions in Belarus. There are 1,880 churches in the country; another 153 are under construction.
The Agreement on Cooperation between the Republic of Belarus and the Belarusian Orthodox Church was concluded in 2003. Its implementation is facilitated by the coordination council for joint programs of cooperation between state administration bodies and the Belarusian Orthodox Church headed by the Commissioner for Religious and Ethnic Affairs.
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