An off-site extended meeting of the Presidium of the Council of the Republic is taking place in Polotsk
The theme of the off-site meeting is "The Spiritual and Educational Heritage of Euphrosyne of Polotsk as the Fundamental Basis for Preserving the Traditional Values of the Belarusian People." The Chairperson of the Council of the Republic emphasized that great attention is paid to the spiritual education of the younger generation in our country. She called on the participants of the event to engage in an open and lively dialogue.
"If we lose connection with the past, destroy the foundations on which the edifice of our society, the prosperous Belarusian home, was built, we will irretrievably lose ourselves, our independence and territorial integrity, all those great achievements won by our legendary ancestors. The Year of Improvement, declared in Belarus, is not only about civic initiatives, tidying up the land, restoring spiritual shrines and historical monuments important to all of us. It is also a profound self-purification, an awareness of our purpose and responsibility for the choice made by the great enlightener Euphrosyne of Polotsk, who initiated the formation of the traditions and values of the Belarusian people, their self-identification," said Natalya Kochanova.
Against the backdrop of the situation in Western countries, where traditional family and spiritual values are trampled upon, Belarus carefully preserves the behests of the great saint. "Only by relying on our national spiritual, moral, historical, and cultural heritage can we preserve the sovereignty of Belarus, ensure the further sustainable development and prosperity of our people. Belarus today is a citadel of traditional culture and morality," emphasized the speaker.
"The opening of the first educational institutions, the Transfiguration Church, and the development of crafts are associated with the name of the venerable saint. After almost nine centuries, the personality of Euphrosyne of Polotsk remains a moral compass, embodying all virtues, deep love for the Motherland, and mercy," noted the Chairperson of the Council of the Republic.
Natalia Kochanova recalled that at the stage of the formation of independent Belarus, the President identified the revival of historical and cultural heritage and national shrines among the priority areas of the state's development. Monasteries and churches began to be recreated and built across the country, and historical and cultural values were restored. "This work is yielding results today. Any initiatives and projects aimed at preserving holy places or teaching the foundations of spiritual and moral education in schools find support from the state and the Belarusian Orthodox Church," shared the speaker.
The Chairperson of the Council of the Republic noted that our state is a stronghold of tolerance and forbearance. "Stable interfaith peace in Belarus, the absence of religious conflicts, accessibility of churches, freedom of religion – such a configuration of state-confessional relations has been established in the country, which is devoid of grounds for competition, discrimination, or discord. In sovereign Belarus, the issue of maintaining religious and ethno-confessional well-being has always received the most serious attention. Situated at the crossroads of two civilizations, Belarus has managed to build a peaceful, self-reliant, and independent state for its people," said Natalia Kochanova.
Not every country in these troubled times can talk about peace and eternal values, but in Belarus, this topic receives close attention. Natalia Kochanova noted that the Council of the Republic has established strong friendly relations with the BPC. "We understand that everything we do together – both the people vested with power and those who serve in our churches – is one cause. We must do everything to ensure peace and harmony in our country," concluded the speaker.
