Two sacred springs have been improved in the Vitebsk region with the support of the UNDP

October 18, Vitebsk / Diana Kurilo – BELTA /. Two sacred springs have been improved in the Vitebsk region with the support of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Representation and the Global Environment Facility Small Grants Programme (GEF SGP) within the framework of the "Living Water – Purification of Belarusian Springs" program, the Interdenominational Mission "Christian Social Service" informed a BELTA correspondent. In the culture of ancient Slavs, springs played a special role – they were imbued with sacred meaning and attributed magical properties. In the Vitebsk region, thanks to the program, two springs revered by believers have been improved – in Drutsk, Tolochin district, and in Vitebsk. The spring in the Tolochin district is associated with the history of the Principality of Drutsk, where, according to scientists, the Church of the Most Holy Theotokos was built – the first Christian church in the Polotsk lands. In Vitebsk, the Holy George spring on Yuryeva Gorka has been purified. This spring was worshipped by pagans, and with the advent of Christianity, it was consecrated and has since been famous for its healing properties far beyond the borders of Belarus. The Interdenominational Mission "Christian Social Service," in partnership with the UNDP Representation and the GEF SGP, has been implementing a project to purify and improve four springs under the patronage of church communities in the Vitebsk and Mogilev regions since the beginning of 2012. The "Living Water – Purification of Belarusian Springs" project is designed for one year. The main goal of the project is to improve public access to clean drinking water, reduce polluting runoff into rivers and other water bodies, as well as to foster environmental awareness and involve the public in practical environmental protection activities. Territorial state and public organizations were involved in the work to improve the springs. Volunteers worked at church parishes, carrying out work to clean and improve the territories adjacent to the springs. As the project participants hope, after its completion, the public will continue to maintain the springs and adjacent territories in cleanliness and order, and the quality of spring water will be regularly monitored in specialized laboratories. -0-