All conditions have been created in the Vitebsk region for the development of spiritual enlightenment of believers

On March 27, the Catholic world celebrated the bright holiday of the Resurrection of Christ.

In the morning of this day, the Deputy Chairman of the Regional Executive Committee, Vladimir Terentyev, congratulated the Bishop of Vitebsk, Oleg Butkevich, on Easter and presented him with a bouquet of white roses.

The meeting was held with the participation of the Head of the Department for Religious Affairs and Nationalities of the Regional Executive Committee, Mikhail Danilenko. It took place, as is tradition, at the residence of the Bishop of the Vitebsk Diocese.

Addressing the head of the Vitebsk Diocese, Vladimir Terentyev shared his impressions of visiting the Cathedral of Jesus the Merciful during the Easter Vigil – the evening festive service.

— It is a very beautiful and solemn service. It is wonderful that so many people come to the church. Undoubtedly, we feel the spiritual growth of our society, and this is a common concern for both the state and the church, — said V. Terentyev.

Continuing this thought, the Deputy Chairman of the regional executive committee recalled that the theme of interaction between the Roman Catholic Church and the state is also reflected in the events of the current year. V. Terentyev recalled that January 2016 already brought good news to the Vitebsk region – the Catholic priest, rector of the Holy Trinity Church in Rositsa near Verkhnedvinsk, Checheslav Kurechko, received the President of Belarus Prize "For Spiritual Revival". His dedicated work is widely discussed not only in the Catholic world.

V. Terentyev came to the head of the Vitebsk Diocese with congratulations and a number of interesting topics for discussion, some of which were outlined for the attending journalists. According to V. Terentyev, one of the ideas was born the day before in a conversation with the head of the region, Nikolai Sherstnev, who saw an opportunity to organize a festival of spiritual singing in Postavy. The proposal is to give the existing regional holiday the status of a regional one with the efforts of the Catholic diocese with the help of the regional executive committee. Churches of the Postavy region can be involved, including the famous Church of John the Baptist in Kamai. "The church in Kamai is a beautiful monument, we need to show both its beauty and the beauty of the spiritual talents of the region," emphasized V. Terentyev.

— Indeed, we are all called to create conditions for a dignified human life. Everyone is engaged in their own areas. The Church is primarily called to do everything to ensure the spiritual enlightenment of a person. Conditions have been created in the Vitebsk region for believers to realize their spiritual needs, — said the head of the Vitebsk Diocese, Oleg Butkevich. — The main thing is that joint activities benefit people and society as a whole.

Natalia KRUPITSA. Photos by Oleg KLIMOVICH, "Vitbichi".