The Polotsk and Glubokoye Diocese will celebrate the 850th anniversary of Euphrosyne of Polotsk's Cross in September

January 5, Vitebsk / Diana Kurilo - BELTA /. The Polotsk and Glubokoye Diocese will celebrate the 850th anniversary of the national shrine - the Cross of Euphrosyne of Polotsk in September 2011, Archbishop Theodosius of Polotsk and Glubokoye told a BELTA correspondent. He became a laureate of the Special Prize of the President of Belarus for active spiritual and educational activities, and a significant contribution to the preservation of interfaith peace and national harmony. Another important milestone in the life of the diocese will be the celebration of the 250th anniversary of the Holy Epiphany Cathedral and the canonization of the new martyr Constantine Zhdanov. "However, the most important thing for the diocese remains the daily work of spiritual nourishment," the bishop emphasized. The work of church ministers in children's shelters and in 24-hour care units for the elderly will continue. The Polotsk and Glubokoye Diocese has established close ties with military units: priests are frequent guests of soldiers. Much attention is paid to the revival of family values. "Building a family is another important area of activity that will be continued," said Archbishop Theodosius. The active spiritual and educational activities of the clergyman did not go unnoticed by secular and church authorities. The Archbishop has state medals and church orders in his service record. "The 'For Spiritual Revival' Prize is the highest and most unexpected. It is a great honor to receive it, although the servants of both the diocese and the flock deserve this award," Feodosiy admitted. He also noted the significant role of the state in the spiritual revival of the people and the assistance that local authorities provide to the Church. Along with Archbishop Theodosius of Polotsk and Glubokoye, the abbess of the Holy Euphrosyne Monastery in Polotsk, Abbess Euphrosyne, was awarded the "For Spiritual Revival" prize. As noted by the chairman of the Polotsk City Executive Committee, Vladimir Tochilo, these two people are an example of selfless service to faith and people. They continue the traditions of the great enlighteners Euphrosyne of Polotsk and Simeon of Polotsk. By secular education, Bishop Theodosius is an engineer; he worked at the Institute of Radiophysics and Electronics of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine. At the age of 27, he entered the Moscow Theological Seminary, and then the Moscow Theological Academy. He defended his dissertation on the theory of church preaching and received the degree of Master of Theology. In 1997, he headed the Polotsk and Glubokoye Diocese. Under Archbishop Theodosius, with the blessing of Metropolitan Filaret, the Cross of St. Euphrosyne of Polotsk was recreated and brought to Polotsk in 1997. In 2007, the creation of a silver shrine for the relics of St. Euphrosyne was completed. -0-