Married couples from the Vitebsk region will be able to renew their wedding vows in Braslav

December 16, Vitebsk / Olga Bogacheva - BELTA /. Numerous festive events will conclude in Braslav in August 2010 the first jubilee year, declared in honor of the coronation of the Icon of the Mother of God of Braslav, the Vitebsk Catholic Diocese informed a BELTA correspondent. The main events are scheduled for August 21-22. On these days, Braslav will host the V meeting of the youth of the Vitebsk diocese, an all-night prayer vigil and a holy prayer dedicated to the end of the jubilee, and a number of other events. All married couples from the Vitebsk region are also invited to take part in them. During the festive events, they will once again be able to solemnly renew their marriage vows and receive pastoral blessings. The Icon of the Mother of God of Braslav is located in the altar of the Church of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary and is only opened during divine services. Its history dates back to the Basilian male monastery founded in the 15th century on the island of Lake Nespish, and it is considered the main Christian shrine of the Lake District. The coronation of the icon, which took place in August of this year in Braslav, is Vatican's recognition of the miraculous power of the image. In honor of this event, Pope Benedict XVI declared a jubilee year, which will end on August 22, 2010. -0-