Solemn Hierarchal Divine Liturgy in Minsk

Church celebrations in honor of 1025th anniversary of the Baptism of Russia from Moscow and Kiev were transferred to Minsk, the capital of Belarus 

Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia along with primates and heads of the delegations of the Local Orthodox Churches served on 29 July 2013 the Divine Liturgy at the ruins of Minsk ancient castle,  where the first church of this city was founded in XI century. Among participants there was His Holiness Irinej, Serbian Patriarch. 

Hierarchs, clergy and monks of the Russian Orthodox Church from Russia, Belarus and other countries concelebrated to the primates.

Vice President of the Government of Belarus A.A. Tozik, chairman of the Minsk Executive Board N.A. Ladutko, as well as other official personalities, lot of citizens of Minsk and guests - at the ceremony ten thousand believers from all Belarus gathered, as well as from Russia, Lithuania and Latvia.

During the service, liturgical exclamations were made in Church Slavonic, Greek, Arabic, English, Georgian and Albanian.

Following the Liturgy the prayer of supplication was served to Holy Prince Vladimir Equal-to-the-Apostles.

On the occasion of this significant historical anniversary His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia held a welcome address. Also His Holiness Catholicos-Patriarch Ilia II of All Georgia and Metropolitan Philaret of Minsk and All Belarus addressed the primates and the heads of delegations of the Local Orthodox Churches and other bishops.

In memory of the celebration in Minsk, His Holiness Patriarch Ilia granted an icon of the Synaxis of Holy Archangels to Metropolitan Philaret of Minsk and Slutsk.

After the service, on the place of ancient Orthodox temple in Minsk from XI century Patriarch Kirill with the primates of the Local Churches laid gramata in the foundation in honor of the anniversary of the Baptism of Russia.

Source: Moscow Patriarchate