Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia Kirill pays a three-day visit to Belarus

21 июня 2015

Inna Pilevich: On Sunday a special guest was welcomed in Brest. The Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia Kirill. The program of his visit is very rich: a meeting with the President, laying of a wreath at the Victory Square, a service in the Cathedral, the funeral service in memory of the defenders of Brest Fortress.

In general, the theme of war and peace in this visit can be traced not only in rituals and services with participation of the Patriarch. On Saturday, the head of the Russian Orthodox Church and the Belarusian President dwelled on the theme of war in Ukraine. Alas, today, prayers are said not only for those who died in the Great Patriotic War. Patriarch Kirill deliberately planned his visit to Belarus for 2015, the Year of the Great Victory. The Patriarch laid a wreath to the monument in Victory Square.

For the Patriarch this is the 4th visit to Belarus. The first visit to the country was made in September 2009, a few months after his appointment to the highest spiritual office. Then the head of the Russian Orthodox Church took part in the celebrations of the 400th anniversary of the phenomenon Krupetskii Mother of God and that of those of the 1025th anniversary of the Baptism of Russia.

And by tradition every time Patriarch Kirill meets the President of Belarus. After a friendly greeting, Alexander Lukashenko, and the head of the Russian Orthodox Church had a warm conversation in the fireplace room of the Palace of Independence. The main topic of conversation is a dialogue of religious cultures. The Belarusians are a nation of tolerance. Representatives of completely different faiths, Orthodox, Catholics, Protestants, Muslims, Jews, peacefully live in the country.

The head of the Russian Orthodox Church thanked Belarus for the role it played in organizing the negotiations on the settlement of the situation in Ukraine.

During the meeting, Patriarch Kirill presented the Order of St. Seraphim of Sarov, 1 st degree, to the Head of State. In turn, Alexander Lukashenko donated a silver "guardian angel" icon to the Patriarch.

Also, Patriarch Kirill opened the Education Centre of the Belarusian Orthodox Church. Considerable support for the construction was provided by the Belarusian state. There are all conditions for the implementation of educational projects.

The Center of the Belarusian Orthodox Church is located next to the main cathedral in Minsk. The unique complex includes educational buildings, a dormitory, a library.

Tomorrow Kirill will take part in the meeting in memory of the victims of the Great Patriotic War. It is not just the final point of the spiritual mission of the Patriarch in our country, but also a place for personal grief.