On the eve of the Nativity of Christ, Archbishop Dmitry of Vitebsk and Orsha met with journalists

At a press conference held at the bishop's residence, attention was focused on the results of the past year and plans for the current one. The Archbishop noted that 2014 was marked by the celebration of the 700th anniversary of the birth of St. Sergius of Radonezh. Among all the glorified saints, this name is surrounded by special reverence and love. The main spiritual concern of St. Sergius was the affirmation of peace and brotherly love among his compatriots. Today, this is particularly relevant in connection with the situation in Ukraine.

– The multinational Orthodox Church fervently prays for peace in the land of Ukraine, for the cessation of civil strife. Our brothers and sisters in the neighboring country are experiencing one of the most dramatic moments in their history. During every Divine Liturgy, a prayer is offered for the cessation of internecine warfare. Refugees from Ukraine are receiving effective assistance and comprehensive support, – said Bishop Dmitry.

Among the main events in honor of Sergius of Radonezh, the Archbishop mentioned the participation of representatives from Vitebsk region in the national procession from Khotkovo to the Trinity Lavra of St. Sergius. Many residents of the region were able to venerate the icon with a particle of the relics of the saint, which was in Vitebsk for six days. The traditional Easter festival, the Orthodox youth festival "Odigitria", Sretensky and medical readings, conferences organized by the Vitebsk Diocese were dedicated to the anniversary of Sergius of Radonezh.

As part of the Sretensky Readings, a round table discussion was held on "Cossacks. Past, Present, Future", which brought together for the first time Cossacks of the Vitebsk district and representatives of Cossack public organizations located in the diocese. In July, the 103rd Guards Separate Mobile Brigade was presented with an Orthodox banner depicting the patron saint of paratroopers, the Holy Prophet Elijah. Bishop Dimitri noted that this event is of great importance in the life of any military collective, as together with the banner, soldiers and officers gain a connection to the spiritual traditions that our ancestors had.

For 14 years, the Orthodox health camp "Druzhba" has been hosting children, including those from single-parent, disadvantaged families, orphans, and pupils of boarding schools. Vouchers for them are purchased through the collection of donations.

In April of last year, the Vitebsk Diocese was visited for the first time by Patriarchal Exarch of All Belarus Pavel. In October, the Republican Festival "Orthodox Belarus" was held in Orsha, within the framework of which the International Kuteinsk Readings took place, where for the first time in Belarus, a copy of the "Bukvar" by Spiridon Sobol (1631), printed in the Kuteinsk printing house, was demonstrated.

– In 2015, the Russian Orthodox Church will celebrate the 1000th anniversary of the repose of Saint Equal-to-the-Apostles Grand Prince Vladimir, the Baptizer of Rus'. This man, being a pagan, committed many bad deeds, including the plunder of Polotsk and the murder of a princely family, but after accepting the Orthodox faith, he completely changed and transformed Rus'. Baptism is a life-giving source that nourishes us to this day and gives us the strength to build life on the basis of eternal values, – noted Archbishop Dmitry.

He also emphasized that the memory of this saint has long been revered in Belarus. In 1887, the Vitebsk Diocesan Brotherhood in the name of Grand Prince Vladimir was established. Saint righteous John of Kronstadt, who visited Vitebsk in 1906, was an honorary member. The brotherhood's activities were resumed in 1992. From November 8 to 12 this year, the relics of Saint Equal-to-the-Apostles Prince Vladimir will be in the Vitebsk Diocese for five days.

The Archbishop also spoke about his activities as the rector of the representation of the Belarusian Exarchate in Moscow and about new churches. The construction of churches in honor of Saint Matrona of Moscow in Bilevo, Saint Tatiana near the Technological University, the Nativity of Christ in Orsha, in the village of Tarny and the agro-town of Mazolovo in the Vitebsk region is nearing completion. Currently, there are 169 active churches and six monasteries in the Vitebsk Diocese.

In conclusion, Archbishop Dmitry noted: "The most precious time is the one we are in now. The past is gone, and we do not know the future". Congratulating the residents of Vitebsk region on the upcoming Nativity of Christ, the владыка urged them to cherish time and love each other, and to preserve spiritual unity.

Tatyana Pasternak, "Vitebskiye Vesti"