His Holiness Patriarch Kirill blesses the Religious Education Centre of the Byelorussian Exarchate
On 20 June 2015, after the All-Night Vigil celebrated in the Cathedral of the Holy Spirit, His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia proceeded to the building of the Religious Education Centre of the Byelorussian Exarchate and, together with the concelebrating bishops and clerics, blessed the church of St. Cyril of Turov. The ordained lectures of the Minsk theological seminary blessed the premises of the Centre.
In his address, His Holiness expressed gratitude President Lukashenko of the Republic of Belarus; Metropolitan Philaret, honorary Patriarchal Exarch of All Belarus; Metropolitan Pavel of Minsk and Zaslavl, and all those engaged in the construction of the Centre for their work and underscored: ‘There is a place in the downtown Minsk for religious, intellectual and education work much needed today.’
His Holiness led a procedure of cancellation of a stamp issued by the Byelorussian Post to mark the 1000th anniversary of the demise of St. Prince Vladimir Equal-to-the-Apostles.
The Primate of the Russian Church had a tour of the Centre and blessed the memorial sign issued in honour of the 500th anniversary of the appearance of the Minsk icon of the Mother of God.
In conclusion of his visit to the Religious Education Centre, His Holiness gave his blessing to volunteers who helped with maintaining the order during divine service, saying: ‘The work of volunteers is very important. Its development is necessary to help young people change their vision of the Church. You can become a core and example of the youth work at parishes. I wish you strength of the soul in your labours for the good of the Holy Church.’
