Polotsk celebrated its 1153rd anniversary under the sign of Euphrosyne of Polotsk

The oldest city in our country celebrated its 1153rd anniversary with festive events, which this year were held under the sign of honoring the heavenly patroness of Belarus, Euphrosyne of Polotsk. The celebrations confirmed that the greatness of the spiritual feat of the glorified Polotsk woman does not fade over the centuries and inspires compatriots to good deeds in the name of a bright future for their native land. The Day of Remembrance of Saint Euphrosyne was celebrated so massively and on such a large scale for the first time.

The oldest city in our country celebrated its 1153rd anniversary with festive events, which this year were held under the sign of honoring the heavenly patroness of Belarus, Euphrosyne of Polotsk. The celebrations confirmed that the greatness of the spiritual feat of the glorified Polotsk woman does not fade over the centuries and inspires compatriots to good deeds in the name of a bright future for their native land.

The Day of Remembrance of Saint Euphrosyne was celebrated so massively and on such a large scale for the first time. Numerous spiritual and educational projects were timed to coincide with it, implemented in all educational institutions, enterprises, organizations, museums, and libraries. The city residents seemed to be taking an exam before their great countrywoman for their loyalty to her testaments.

On June 5, thousands of pilgrims traditionally arrived in Polotsk. Among them was 10-year-old Euphrosyne Mozheyko from Glubokoye, named by her parents in honor of the great Belarusian saint. Elena Kuharenok, who came to Polotsk with other pilgrims from the urban settlement of Vetrino, admitted that she thanks Saint Euphrosyne for helping her recover from a serious illness. And Lyudmila Mekhedko from Novopolotsk said that her mother survived in Auschwitz thanks to daily prayer. After the war, she baptized her four children and often came for spiritual support to the Spaso-Yefrosinievsky Monastery – the most blessed place on earth where one can heal the soul from any worries. The main thing is to ask for help with sincere prayer and love.

Festive divine liturgies were held in the Sophia Cathedral and churches of the city on this day. Then, solemn processions, accompanied by the ringing of bells, moved from the Orthodox shrines to the Spaso-Yefrosinievsky Monastery, where the relics of the venerable saint are kept, transferred from Kyiv to her native monastery 105 years ago.

Along the road, strewn with fresh flowers, the participants of the religious procession, led by church hierarchs and representatives of secular authorities, proceeded to the Transfiguration Church, built by order of the abbess of Polotsk in the 12th century and preserving its unique features to this day.

Metropolitan of Minsk and Zaslavl Pavel, Patriarchal Exarch of All Belarus, addressed the gathered with a word of edification, conveying the archpastoral blessing to the faithful.

– May the feat of Euphrosyne of Polotsk remain a source of strength for all of us for creation, inspiring us to worthy deeds in the name of building a strong, prosperous Belarus, – said Vladimir Terentyev, Deputy Chairman of the Regional Executive Committee, who came to congratulate the residents of Polotsk and guests of the city on behalf of the regional authorities.

The next day, Vladimir Vladimirovich took part in the solemn opening ceremony of the festival on Freedom Square. He noted that Polotsk, which for many centuries has been the spiritual, cultural, and scientific center of Eastern Europe, is growing and developing successfully, preserving the continuity of glorious historical traditions.

Nikolai Shevchuk, Chairman of the Polotsk District Executive Committee, expressed his heartfelt gratitude to his fellow countrymen for their worthy work, dedication to their native city, and care for it, and then presented awards to those who achieved the most significant success in their fields of activity.

This year, the title of Honorary Citizen of Polotsk was awarded to Ernst Babenko, Doctor of Technical Sciences, Professor, and the first Rector of PSU, through whose efforts Polotsk regained its status as a university city. For significant spiritual and educational activities, the same high title was conferred upon Abbess Evdokia, the superior of the Spaso-Yevfrosinievsky Convent.

In addition, at the celebration, the badges of distinction "For Merits to Polotsk" were presented, and the heads of the best enterprises and laureates of the title "Person of the Year of Polotsk Region" were honored.

The celebration united the people of Polotsk in their desire to declare their love for their hometown and present it with numerous creative gifts. One of the new projects was the joint performance of the Polotsk anthem by the citizens on the central square after the solemn procession of labor collectives. The exhibition-festival of straw spiders on Francis Skorina Avenue attracted great attention, where a bustling craft fair unfolded. The decoration of the trade rows also featured an original approach and historical themes. The finale of the project

"We are in the know!" vividly demonstrated the huge creative potential of the youth. And the evening concert was adorned with performances by laureates of the young performers' competition "Melody-Retro" and artists of the ensemble "Syabry" under the direction of Anatoly Yarmolenko.

The night sky over Polotsk was painted with a festive fireworks display. And the very next day, the grand opening of another attraction took place in the city. Opposite the registry office, a bench for lovers has been installed, made by blacksmith Alexei Kolesnikov on the initiative of the youth at the expense of donations from enterprises and organizations of the Polotsk region.

The first to try out the new ritual were newlyweds Anastasia and Alexander Zhegalo. They tied their ribbon of happiness and released heart-shaped balloons into the sky. Immediately after the opening, the bench attracted the attention of people of all ages. Perhaps, thanks to the new tradition, there will be more strong and happy families in ancient Polotsk.

Larisa Malashenya, "Vitebskiye Vesti"