Archbishop Dimitri presented the jubilee medal to the Chairman of the Regional Council of Deputies on Christmas
The Holy Assumption Cathedral met parishioners with the ringing of bells on the bright holiday of the Nativity of Christ, inviting them to a cathedral prayer service, which was traditionally led by Archbishop of Vitebsk and Orsha Dimitry.
After the service, the Vladyka read out the Christmas message of Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Rus'. The Most Holy Patriarch recalled that after the birth of the Divine Infant, the Magi brought him gifts, and today we can bring our hearts, full of love for Him and our neighbor, as a gift to God.
The revival of the Vitebsk diocese has been ongoing for the past 25 years. Clergy are still raising churches from ruins and building new ones, reviving traditions of spiritual education, bringing the ideas of peace, kindness, and philanthropy to the masses, and introducing the younger generation to spiritual values, while helping families find harmony and mutual understanding.
Now many people attend God's houses, some small churches are overcrowded. The head of the Vitebsk diocese noted that the work on their revival will continue, and 36 destroyed churches are yet to be returned from oblivion. However, it would be difficult for the diocese alone to withstand all the challenges of the present time.
The state and local authorities provide active assistance and feasible help in the restoration and construction of churches.
As emphasized by the head of the region's deputy corps, Vladimir Terentyev, the cooperation between secular authorities and the clergy brings interfaith peace to our land and contributes to the restoration of lost ideals of goodness.
Having thanked the bishop and clergy of the diocese for their many years of service for the benefit of the people, Vladimir Vladimirovich wished everyone love and prosperity. For the head of the regional council of deputies, in turn, it was a pleasant surprise to be awarded the jubilee medal in honor of the 100th anniversary of the revival of the patriarchate of the Russian Orthodox Church. Archbishop Dmitry presented the same award to the General Director of SOOO "Marko", Nikolai Martynov.
Vladimir Terentyev also noted that the role of the church is increasing every year. Clergy work with both older people and youth, the diocese provides all possible assistance to the disadvantaged. And now, we must together revive the centuries-old spiritual traditions in order to jointly build our state on the principles of morality, preserve the historical past, and confidently move into the future.
