Over 50,000 pilgrims from around the world visit Minsk

30 июля 2013

For the first time the Belarusian capital hosted representatives of the local Orthodox churches and more than 50,000 pilgrims from around the world. 15 patriarchs and archbishops held a service in the historic center of Minsk. The liturgy was headed by Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia.


By Xenia Rabchinskaya: The celebrations of the 1025th anniversary of the Baptism of Rus in Minsk began early in the morning with a religious procession. Later, the pilgrims gathered in the center of Minsk. Here, in the historic center of the capital, the solemn liturgy was headed by Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia.


Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia: This is a historic event for Moscow, Kiev and Minsk. It shows that the Baptism of Rus, the subsequent history and the present state of the Russian Orthodox Church have to do with the fate of Orthodoxy, as well as the fate of any Orthodox Church has to do with our destiny. The solemn liturgy is the symbol of our earthly and heavenly unity. This unity is manifested in the spiritual unity of our peoples and the unity of the Russian Orthodox Church. I call down God's blessing on Belarus and its people. Amen.


In the late afternoon, the center of the anniversary celebrations shifted to the All Saints Temple. Several thousand people gathered for the concert given by the State Symphony Orchestra of Belarus. One of the world's most important Christian shrines - the Cross of the Apostle Andrew - was brought here. The shrine will stay in Belarus until August 2. The believers will be able to access the cross on a 24-hour basis.