Opinions & Interviews

MINSK, 1 December (BelTA) – The people of Belarus value their culture and history, Belarus’ Commissioner for Religious and Ethnic Affairs Leonid Gulyako said at the opening of the Second Belarusian Christmas Readings on 1 December.

“The people of Belarus value their culture, history, and the vast spiritual legacy of Orthodox Christianity. The relations between the Orthodox Church and government agencies are based on the understanding of the benefits that the Church brings to the society in the modern context. This cooperation should be expanded,” Leonid Gulyako noted. He pointed out that the Republic of Belarus and the Belarusian Orthodox Church signed a cooperation agreement back in 2003.

Leonid Gulyako said that Belarus is a multi-ethnic and multi-religious country without any religious conflicts or ethnic tensions. Belarus has created favorable conditions for the protection of the rights of freedom of conscience and religion.

The Commissioner for Religious and Ethnic Affairs pointed out that the Christmas Readings are designed to unite the Orthodox Christians and the society in general and encourage a discussion of important social, cultural and educational issues.

The Christmas Readings are held with the blessing of Metropolitan Pavel of Minsk and Zaslavl, Patriarchal Exarch of All Belarus who also attended the opening ceremony. “The forum brings together academia and clergy, representatives of different industries and professions. Today we welcome guests from Russia and other countries. This is a venue for communication and discussion of topical issues,” he said.

Minsk is hosting the Second Belarusian Christmas Readings on 1 and 2 December. The forum is entitled “1917-2017. Orthodox Christianity in Belarus’ History and Culture: Results of the Century.” A photo exhibition has been arranged to celebrate the 70th birthday of Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia as part of the forum. The Christmas Readings are featured on the plan of events of the Year of Culture in Belarus. The program of the forum is eventful. The Reading have been organized by the Belarusian Orthodox Church with the support of the Belarusian Culture Ministry, Health Ministry, Education Ministry and the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus.