The solemn consecration of the Church of St. Ignatius of Loyola took place in Vitebsk

The church is located at the intersection of General Ivanovsky and Bagration streets in the new Bilevo microdistrict. It is named after the founder of the Jesuit order and a prominent figure of the Counter-Reformation.

The event was attended by the head of the Vitebsk Roman Catholic Diocese, Oleg Butkevich, priests, and hundreds of believers. The head of the main department of ideological work and youth affairs of the regional executive committee, Marina Novitskaya, also came to congratulate the Catholics on this significant event.

The church hierarch performed a number of actions necessary in such situations, including opening the doors of the church with a symbolic key, and consecrating the altar and premises with holy water.

- This is a landmark event for our diocese: a new place to meet God has appeared in a densely populated and dynamically developing microdistrict of Vitebsk, - said Oleg Butkevich. - I hope the church will be full not only on major holidays but also on weekdays. Its purpose is to strengthen faith in people's hearts.

After that, a Divine Liturgy was held in the church.

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The Church of St. Ignatius of Loyola was built according to the project of Vitebsk architect Petr Leshkovich and has little in common with traditional religious buildings: it lacks high vaulted ceilings and lush decorations. The religious purpose of the building is reminded by a huge cross located on the wall near the main entrance. It is a spiritual and educational center: in addition to the prayer hall, there are classrooms, conference rooms, and rooms for pilgrims inside.

"Vitebskiye Vesti", photo by "Vitbichi"