The state and the church are united in building spirituality and recreating a humane society - A. Kosinets

September 27, Vitebsk / Diana Kurilo - BELTA /. The state and the church are united in building spirituality and recreating a just and humane society. This was noted today at a ceremony on the occasion of the visit of Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Rus' to Vitebsk by the Chairman of the Vitebsk Regional Executive Committee, Alexander Kosinets, BELTA correspondent reports. The ceremony took place on Victory Square in Vitebsk at the memorial complex in honor of the liberator soldiers, partisans and underground fighters of the region. "In all our victories and defeats, successes and failures, joys and sorrows, the Orthodox Church has always been with the people and the state," said Alexander Kosinets. "The role of the Orthodox Church is colossal, as its ideas serve peace, justice, and the fight against evil." The governor recalled that the annual address of the head of state to the Belarusian people notes that there are two most important values - religion and nationality, which must be treated with care, as they ensure the stability of the state and society. 515 religious communities of 17 denominations coexist peacefully in the Vitebsk region, and more than 60 nationalities live there. The ethno-confessional policy pursued in the Belarusian state ensures peace, stability, and mutual understanding. About 84% of the population of the Vitebsk region identify themselves as Orthodox. The Chairman of the Regional Executive Committee noted that 13 churches are being restored in the region. The reconstruction of the Annunciation Church and the Transfiguration Cathedral has been completed, the Resurrection Church has been recreated, and the construction of the Assumption Cathedral is underway. Alexander Kosinets thanked the Primate of the Russian Orthodox Church for visiting the Vitebsk region. -0-