ZHIROVICHI, 25 June (BelTA) – When visiting Holy Dormition Stavropegic Monastery in Zhirovichi Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko and the leadership of the Belarusian Orthodox Church and the head of the monastery discussed the improvement of the monastery and its grounds, BelTA has learned.
The head of state said that the monastery and Zhirovichi should be turned into a gem of order and beauty. “Zhirovichi is an agro-town. The monastery and the church are part of the agro-town. During the year I want you to submit me a plan to overhaul the agro-town - from the center to the outskirts, following the suit of Kopys,” Aleksandr Lukashenko said. “What I saw was not good. We need to spruce up the place, to turn it into a gem. I promise you that we will allocate the money for all the needs. But the money should be spent rationally."
A project to build a new building for clergymen on the grounds of the monastery was discussed during the visit of the president. The project is still in the works.
"An idea is floating among clergymen and beyond about the concentration of all our creative forces (teachers, students, listeners) here," Aleksandr Lukashenko said.
According to Metropolitan Veniamin, the plans to move the Minsk Ecclesiastical Academy to Zhirovichi are indeed being discussed. But its location in Minsk has a number of advantages. "This is an opportunity to interact with secular universities and libraries. It's easier for teachers to get to classes there. But the seminary will be based here,” Metropolitan Veniamin said. "We are now focusing on raising the education to a new level."
As BelTA has reported, Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko is visiting Holy Dormition Stavropegic Monastery in Zhirovichi on 25 June. In the temple, Aleksandr Lukashenko lit a candle at the Icon of the Mother of God and attended a brief prayer service. The president also visited the grave of Metropolitan Filaret, who did a lot for revival of the monastery and the seminary.
