Revival of Orthodox faith may transform the life of Belarusian state

A religious revival which Belarus has seen over the past 25 years is a significant factor that has influenced the material and political well-being of the Belarusian state, Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia Kirill said at a meeting with Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko in Minsk on Monday. “The Orthodox faith carries spiritual force, which forms the foundation for private and family lives of people and is the basis for the life of the whole nation,” Patriarch Kirill said. He said that the foundation was common for all peoples who are the successors of the choice of Prince Vladimir. “This thing is crucial for our interaction. If integration processes are based on this foundation, a building of the future that will withstand the trial of time will emerge,” the patriarch concluded. He thanked President Lukashenko for the high level of organization of celebrations of the 1025th anniversary of adoption of Christianity in Minsk. Besides, the patriarch noted that on Monday the hierarchs of Orthodox churches had laid down a capsule devoted to the anniversary in a historical part of Minsk which has preserved the foundation of an 11th-century Orthodox church. Patriarch Kirill expressed the hope that a new Orthodox church would soon emerge at its place as a new evidence of spiritual revival of Belarus. In turn, President Alexander Lukashenko said that the celebration of the 1025th anniversary of adoption of Christianity in Russia was one of the most significant events in the country’s public life. We welcomed the heads of all Local Orthodox Churches for the first time in the history of Belarus,” the president said. Representatives of all the 15 Local Orthodox Churches held a common prayer in Minsk. The service had brought together 20,000 pilgrims. Orthodox hierarchs finished their pilgrimage trip to Russia, Ukraine and Belarus in Minsk. A revered Christian relic - the Cross on which St. Apostle Andrei the First Called was crucified - will be on view at the Church of All Saints in Minsk until August 2.