In Polotsk, celebrations were held in honor of the 1030th anniversary of Orthodoxy in the Belarusian lands
On June 5, the main celebrations dedicated to the 1030th anniversary of Orthodoxy in the Belarusian land and in memory of Saint Euphrosyne of Polotsk were held in Polotsk.
2022 marks 1030 years since the founding of the Polotsk Diocese, the first on the territory of the Belarusian lands. The official history of the Orthodox Church in Belarus dates back to this event.
The celebration began with the Divine Liturgy in the Polotsk Saint Sophia Cathedral. It is held here once a year, specifically on June 5, the day of remembrance of the saint. After the service, the faithful proceeded in a religious procession to the Saint Euphrosyne Stavropegic Convent. The solemn prayer procession, dedicated to Saint Euphrosyne, Abbess of Polotsk, has been following the traditional route associated with her earthly life for many years. The spiritual and educational path of the holy woman began in the Saint Sophia Cathedral and continued in the Savior Monastery founded by her, where the relics of the saint are now kept. This procession is a human remembrance of the saint's invisible spiritual feat, which people have remembered for over seven centuries.
In the Cathedral of the Exaltation of the Cross of the Saint Euphrosyne Convent, where the religious procession arrived, the service was led by His HolinessHis Holiness Patriarch of Moscow and All Rus' Kirill, who arrived in Belarus yesterday to participate in the celebrations on the occasion of the 1030th anniversary of Orthodoxy in the Belarusian lands.
– This is not only a celebration of this land, one of the first to adopt Christianity in the expanses of Rus'. This is a celebration of all Rus', which is why I am with you today. Because, indeed, the adoption of Christianity here, in this place, served as a strong impetus for the spread of the Christian faith in all outlying lands, – His Holiness the Patriarch emphasized.
His Holiness recalled the difficult history of the Polotsk land, which withstood many blows but endured thanks to faith.
– Today, the Orthodox Church is the spiritual support of Russia, Belarus, and Ukraine. All our fraternal Slavic countries, – the patriarch said.
The solemn divine service was attended by the entire Belarusian episcopate, as well as members of the Holy Synod of the Russian Orthodox Church. Some clergy of the Belarusian Exarchate, who had particularly labored for the good of the holy church, were awarded by the Russian Orthodox Church. Also, during the divine service, Archimandrite Evsevy (Tukhlov) was ordained as Bishop of Slutsk and Soligorsk.
In his sermon, Patriarch Kirill emphasized the need to strengthen the gift of Orthodox faith in the hearts of young people, who are currently under strong influenceof the modern information flow.
– We need to develop our Sunday schools, build closer relationships with the education system so that children in secondary schools can also be introduced to the most important thing, on which true patriotism is also based – love for the Fatherland, for one's people, – noted the patriarch.
Not only clergy but also representatives of the authorities came to Polotsk for the celebrations. The Chairman of the Vitebsk Regional Executive Committee, Alexander Subbotin, noted:
– The anniversary of the Polotsk Diocese, which was the first to appear on Belarusian Orthodox land, the day of remembrance of the venerable righteous Princess Euphrosyne of Polotsk, the visit of Patriarch of Moscow and All Rus', Bishop Kirill of the Russian Orthodox Church – all this has come together. This is a highly spiritual holiday, a day of unity not only for our people but also for all believers from different countries, and for the Vitebsk region, it has a sacred meaning. In a way, it has become a symbolic start to the preparation for the monastery's anniversary, which we will celebrate in 2025.
Thousands of believers came to Polotsk to partake in such a significant event for Belarusian Orthodoxy.
– This is joy, it is universal joy. Look how many people there are. Everyone is crying and rejoicing. This is a great event! – shared schema-nun Magdalena.
– What a sermon the Patriarch gave! He has a gift of speech. He always finds the right words for every audience. He touched upon all topics. Everything is clear, every thought is conveyed to the listeners. I am sure that many will remember his words for a long time, as everyone listened very attentively, – noted Mother Sergiya.
Among the pilgrims were those who came here on their own birthday., one of them is a girl Ekaterina from Vitebsk:
– The Day of Remembrance of Euphrosyne of Polotsk and the 1030th anniversary of Orthodoxy in Belarus is a great opportunity to celebrate a birthday in a special way. And Patriarch Kirill also came. Great! I feel very good here. I generally like to go on pilgrimage trips, they help to reboot.
The birthday girl was accompanied by her friend Maria. The girls watched the entire service on a screen outside, but this did not prevent them from seeing and hearing everything.
– I remember Patriarch Kirill's sermon, in particular, about earlier work with youth, about teaching the basics of Orthodoxy in ordinary schools. It's a good idea, but it's important how it will be implemented. A lot depends on who teaches. It is important that children trust them. After all, one can both attract to faith and alienate forever. It is important not to harm here, – Masha shared her opinion.
Patriarchal Exarch of All Belarus Veniamin recalled the transformation of Polotsk and the diocese with the advent of Orthodoxy. Addressing Patriarch Kirill, he thanked him for participating in the celebrations:
– Today a new glorious page is opening in the history of the Belarusian Orthodox Church and the Belarusian Exarchate. We thank you with love for your primatial visit.
2022 marks 1030 years since the founding of the Polotsk Diocese, the first on the territory of the Belarusian lands. The official history of the Orthodox Church in Belarus dates back to this event.
The celebration began with the Divine Liturgy in the Polotsk Saint Sophia Cathedral. It is held here once a year, specifically on June 5, the day of remembrance of the saint. After the service, the faithful proceeded in a religious procession to the Saint Euphrosyne Stavropegic Convent. The solemn prayer procession, dedicated to Saint Euphrosyne, Abbess of Polotsk, has been following the traditional route associated with her earthly life for many years. The spiritual and educational path of the holy woman began in the Saint Sophia Cathedral and continued in the Savior Monastery founded by her, where the relics of the saint are now kept. This procession is a human remembrance of the saint's invisible spiritual feat, which people have remembered for over seven centuries.
In the Cathedral of the Exaltation of the Cross of the Saint Euphrosyne Convent, where the religious procession arrived, the service was led by His HolinessHis Holiness Patriarch of Moscow and All Rus' Kirill, who arrived in Belarus yesterday to participate in the celebrations on the occasion of the 1030th anniversary of Orthodoxy in the Belarusian lands.
– This is not only a celebration of this land, one of the first to adopt Christianity in the expanses of Rus'. This is a celebration of all Rus', which is why I am with you today. Because, indeed, the adoption of Christianity here, in this place, served as a strong impetus for the spread of the Christian faith in all outlying lands, – His Holiness the Patriarch emphasized.
His Holiness recalled the difficult history of the Polotsk land, which withstood many blows but endured thanks to faith.
– Today, the Orthodox Church is the spiritual support of Russia, Belarus, and Ukraine. All our fraternal Slavic countries, – the patriarch said.
The solemn divine service was attended by the entire Belarusian episcopate, as well as members of the Holy Synod of the Russian Orthodox Church. Some clergy of the Belarusian Exarchate, who had particularly labored for the good of the holy church, were awarded by the Russian Orthodox Church. Also, during the divine service, Archimandrite Evsevy (Tukhlov) was ordained as Bishop of Slutsk and Soligorsk.
In his sermon, Patriarch Kirill emphasized the need to strengthen the gift of Orthodox faith in the hearts of young people, who are currently under strong influenceof the modern information flow.
– We need to develop our Sunday schools, build closer relationships with the education system so that children in secondary schools can also be introduced to the most important thing, on which true patriotism is also based – love for the Fatherland, for one's people, – noted the patriarch.
Not only clergy but also representatives of the authorities came to Polotsk for the celebrations. The Chairman of the Vitebsk Regional Executive Committee, Alexander Subbotin, noted:
– The anniversary of the Polotsk Diocese, which was the first to appear on Belarusian Orthodox land, the day of remembrance of the venerable righteous Princess Euphrosyne of Polotsk, the visit of Patriarch of Moscow and All Rus', Bishop Kirill of the Russian Orthodox Church – all this has come together. This is a highly spiritual holiday, a day of unity not only for our people but also for all believers from different countries, and for the Vitebsk region, it has a sacred meaning. In a way, it has become a symbolic start to the preparation for the monastery's anniversary, which we will celebrate in 2025.
Thousands of believers came to Polotsk to partake in such a significant event for Belarusian Orthodoxy.
– This is joy, it is universal joy. Look how many people there are. Everyone is crying and rejoicing. This is a great event! – shared schema-nun Magdalena.
– What a sermon the Patriarch gave! He has a gift of speech. He always finds the right words for every audience. He touched upon all topics. Everything is clear, every thought is conveyed to the listeners. I am sure that many will remember his words for a long time, as everyone listened very attentively, – noted Mother Sergiya.
Among the pilgrims were those who came here on their own birthday., one of them is a girl Ekaterina from Vitebsk:
– The Day of Remembrance of Euphrosyne of Polotsk and the 1030th anniversary of Orthodoxy in Belarus is a great opportunity to celebrate a birthday in a special way. And Patriarch Kirill also came. Great! I feel very good here. I generally like to go on pilgrimage trips, they help to reboot.
The birthday girl was accompanied by her friend Maria. The girls watched the entire service on a screen outside, but this did not prevent them from seeing and hearing everything.
– I remember Patriarch Kirill's sermon, in particular, about earlier work with youth, about teaching the basics of Orthodoxy in ordinary schools. It's a good idea, but it's important how it will be implemented. A lot depends on who teaches. It is important that children trust them. After all, one can both attract to faith and alienate forever. It is important not to harm here, – Masha shared her opinion.
Patriarchal Exarch of All Belarus Veniamin recalled the transformation of Polotsk and the diocese with the advent of Orthodoxy. Addressing Patriarch Kirill, he thanked him for participating in the celebrations:
– Today a new glorious page is opening in the history of the Belarusian Orthodox Church and the Belarusian Exarchate. We thank you with love for your primatial visit.