Opinions & Interviews

MINSK, 7 January (BelTA) – The church’s contribution to preserving peace in Belarus is huge, Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko said as he attended the Holy Spirit Cathedral in Minsk to celebrate Orthodox Christmas on 7 January, BelTA informs.

“The main purpose of my visit here is to thank Metropolitan Pavel, the priests, and everyone who carries the cross of God for the sake of the people's spirituality, for serving our people and the state. The church’s contribution to peace and stability on this land lying at a crossroads is huge. This is the contribution of all our confessions and, especially, the priests of the Orthodox Church as the biggest confession in our state. People respond with peace and do good. Please, do good and we will cherish this peace,” said the president.

Alexander Lukashenko stressed that the main values are peace and calmness. Money can always be found and earned. “Our Lord sees everything. If we do not cherish peace, He will punish. Let us cherish this peace. It is of great importance to us,” the Belarusian leader said.

“As Metropolitan Pavel said, the son of God has come to take us to heaven. Until he calls us, let us do the maximum of good things on earth so as not to be ashamed up there afterwards,” the head of state added.