VITEBSK, 8 December (BelTA) – A ceremony to consecrate the memorial stone installed at the site of the Church of the Beheading of Saint John the Baptist (17th century) was held near the library of Vitebsk State Medical University (VSMU) as part of the national Botkin Readings, BelTA has learned.
The first mention of the Church of the Beheading of Saint John the Baptist dates back to the 17th century. Unfortunately, during the Great Patriotic War, the church was severely damaged and was never restored. The memorial stone was placed at its site. It was consecrated by Metropolitan Veniamin of Minsk and Zaslavl, Patriarchal Exarch of All Belarus. The event was attended by Governor of Vitebsk Oblast Aleksandr Subbotin, representatives of the Belarusian Orthodox Church and the university's administration, staff, and students.
"There is a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them. Now is the time for very careful, thorough gathering. Of everything that served the formation of our statehood, the spirituality of our people. Ancient churches, monasteries, icons, sacred relics… These are what sanctified the life of our people, to form the spiritual core of every citizen,” said Metropolitan Veniamin of Minsk and Zaslavl, Patriarchal Exarch of All Belarus. He added that through collaboration between the church and medicine, much can be achieved. “It is important to conduct relevant work with future doctors and explain to them how the spiritual dimension can influence a person. The projects currently being implemented under the agreement between the Healthcare Ministry and the Belarusian Orthodox Church provide a broad scope for such interaction,” the Metropolitan noted.
“We have always held our sacred sites in great respect. Many churches on Vitebsk land were destroyed during the war and are now being restored,” Aleksandr Subbotin said. Speaking about the location where the memorial stone was placed, he emphasized that it is another strong thread connecting the present with the past, with the ancestors.
The national Botkin Readings discussed the topics of ethical issues in medicine and professional burnout. As VSMU Rector Aleksei Chukanov noted, the spiritual upbringing of youth is the most important issue in modern education. “We must educate youth based on the traditions inherent to our people,” he said.
The first mention of the Church of the Beheading of Saint John the Baptist dates back to the 17th century. Unfortunately, during the Great Patriotic War, the church was severely damaged and was never restored. The memorial stone was placed at its site. It was consecrated by Metropolitan Veniamin of Minsk and Zaslavl, Patriarchal Exarch of All Belarus. The event was attended by Governor of Vitebsk Oblast Aleksandr Subbotin, representatives of the Belarusian Orthodox Church and the university's administration, staff, and students.
"There is a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them. Now is the time for very careful, thorough gathering. Of everything that served the formation of our statehood, the spirituality of our people. Ancient churches, monasteries, icons, sacred relics… These are what sanctified the life of our people, to form the spiritual core of every citizen,” said Metropolitan Veniamin of Minsk and Zaslavl, Patriarchal Exarch of All Belarus. He added that through collaboration between the church and medicine, much can be achieved. “It is important to conduct relevant work with future doctors and explain to them how the spiritual dimension can influence a person. The projects currently being implemented under the agreement between the Healthcare Ministry and the Belarusian Orthodox Church provide a broad scope for such interaction,” the Metropolitan noted.
“We have always held our sacred sites in great respect. Many churches on Vitebsk land were destroyed during the war and are now being restored,” Aleksandr Subbotin said. Speaking about the location where the memorial stone was placed, he emphasized that it is another strong thread connecting the present with the past, with the ancestors.
The national Botkin Readings discussed the topics of ethical issues in medicine and professional burnout. As VSMU Rector Aleksei Chukanov noted, the spiritual upbringing of youth is the most important issue in modern education. “We must educate youth based on the traditions inherent to our people,” he said.
Photos by Aleksandr Khitrov/BelTA
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