For the sake of peace and kindness

The Orthodox world celebrated one of the main Christian holidays - the Nativity of Christ. All roads on this bright day lead to churches. There is an immutable tradition in Belarus: no matter what, the head of state attends the Christmas service.

Church of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross in Minsk

That Thursday he was awaited in the new Minsk Church of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross. The President brought an icon as a gift, lit a candle, and addressed the parishioners. Alexander Lukashenko spoke about the past 2020 year and the coming 2021 year, called for unity, asked to take care of each other, own family and friends. He began by saying about his personal attitude to this day: — This is a bright, kind holiday. We all expect from it not only good, but also miracles. Probably, this makes us very similar to our children. The peculiarity of such, my beloved, holidays — as Christmas, Easter — is that each of us, each person goes his/her own way to own church. This is the greatest treasure that you and I have.

On that Christmas morning, many more people came to the Church of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross in Minsk, which was built for the simultaneous acceptance of up to 300 people. The President, addressing the parishioners, asked a seemingly rhetorical question: why are we going? And answered himself: — I am absolutely convinced that all those who go to the church go for peace. They go for forgiveness. They follow the Christian values that live in us. More than 2 thousand years ago, Christmas became a kind of starting point for a new civilization, a new world order, where love, justice, kindness and mercy reign. These character traits are absolutely inherent in the Belarusian people. Some people have more of them, some less. But in general, the pursuit of honesty, decency and justice is in our blood.

And therefore, Alexander Lukashenko is sure, God protects us. He spoke taking into account the lessons of recent times. He recalled the coronavirus pandemic, its terrible consequences, and likened them to other countries. And then he said: — We should understand that only together can we save this plot of land, and our children will be able to live after us with their own minds on their land. In the New Year message, I already said, that we can lose what we have. And the worst thing is that we can lose it irrevocably. In the church, sounded the following message from the head of state: to think about the future. Not only about our own, but also about our children’s future:

— It is on this holy day that He warns us from there... This is very relevant and very important.

When else to think about the near future and make plans, if not at Christmas? After all, the President stressed, this is exactly the holiday that defines a new life for at least a year ahead. Hence I wish: — I really want us not to repeat the previous year, although I did not stigmatize it. We needed this year to get our heads right and to think about the future. So that we could realize who is next to us, so that we could clearly define who is who. We needed this year, but we needed it in the past. I do not want it to be repeated in this and next year. I want next year to be better — and it will be better! If we do not just want, but do everything necessary, depending on each of us.

But we also shouldn’t forget about the past. The Church of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross, built in 2020, borders on the memorial complex “Masyukovschina death camp” - a remembrance place for the burial of more than 80 thousand prisoners of war and civilian Soviet citizens who were tortured in a Nazi concentration camp during the Great Patriotic War. The Church of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross, the President said, is, first of all, a monument to all those who died: — These are the people who haven’t betrayed, who haven’t given up. These are the people who fought and died during the Great Patriotic War. This is very important to us now. Our entire Belarus, as I often say, is a monument to that war. We, Belarusians, shouldn’t heroize Na-

zism even in small things. We shouldn’t! In the name of memory of those who died. We should sacredly honour those people thanks to whom we live today. The head of state insists once again: Belarus and its people do not need war or clashes. At the same time, he admits: life is really difficult now. But we should look ahead. Information wars are ongoing. A terrible fight broke out for the minds of people. Any cases are used, even this pandemic. Therefore, we need to unite so as not to lose what is ours — what belongs to us. Alexander Lukashenko gave an example to the topic of the day - just the night before, the Capitol was stormed in Washington: — The citadel of world democracy, as they presented themselves. Who would have thought? Nobody. Although there is some justice on the part of Trump. But it is bad. It is bad when people go to storm and die. Therefore, we should brace ourselves and calm down.

Hence the call from the head of state: — So that you understand me and don’t condemn me right off the reel. Try to understand. I am a peaceful person. But I can’t allow someone to come here and openly destroy this our place... We don’t need any wars or clashes. They will be brought to us, look, we won’t be allowed to live calmly. Nobody will allow us to breathe freely, in the centre of Europe. This is a fight. And God forbid it turns into a hot war in our territory. But our issues will not be resolved there, our interests will not be observed there.

And we in Belarus know not only by hearsay what war is, but also what peace can be. In this regard, a particular thanks from Alexander Lukashenko sounded to the clergy: — We have preserved interconfessional peace. We have no discord between not only Catholics and Orthodox (we are Christians). We have no conflict between Christians and Muslims, Jews and other confessions, and there are more than 25 of them — small, large — that exist in our country. There is enough space for everyone. It should be so. We don’t have interethnic strife. It doesn’t matter for us who lives here on our land: Pole, Jew, Russian, Lithuanian or Ukrainian, Belarusian. We need to preserve this peace. We are an example for the whole planet, all countries. There is no such peace and tranquility anywhere as in Belarus. The head of state donated to the Church of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross the icon of the Mother of God “Seeking the Lost”, the creation of the image of which dates back to the 17th century. The icon, 35x45 centimetres in size, was made in the workshop of St. Elisabeth Convent, with the use of gold leaf and pearls. In response, the President was presented with a bronze souvenir bell with an inscription on the outside of the lower edge: “Lord, save those who loved the beauty of your house”. Besides, Alexander Lukashenko was presented with a model of the temple made of polished bronze, as well as a book by Nikolai Gavrilov “...And God will wipe away every tear”, which tells about the fate of soldiers and officers of the Red Army who were captured in the first days of the war. In the centre of events is the same camp of prisoners of war in Masyukovshchina, where more than 80 thousand Soviet soldiers and civilians were shot. Metropolitan of Minsk and Zaslavl, Patriarchal Exarch of All Belarus Benjamin, who was present in the church, said, in turn, the following words: — May this holy holiday induce us to bring our grateful hearts to the Lord... So that we do good deeds for our neighbours. Because this is what Christ takes on his side. The future of our country largely depends on how much we turn to Christ now. To his example — the great, the sublime, the unique. How much we will follow his example. It is important that all of us — young and old, from senior to junior — bring our gifts to Christ. Who can do more — more, who can do less — less, but from a pure heart, from all diligence. And undoubtedly — this will be a guarantee of our further prosperity. Will evoke a response from Christ and will be the embodiment of our life and the good health of each of us, and the joy and blessing of our land and the unity between us. Aleksey Fedosov

BELTA

CELEBRATIONS IN HONOR OF THE LAUREATES

Patriotism means to bring your whole self to your mission, living and working for the good of your native country and people.

President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko announced this at the award ceremony “For Spiritual Revival”, a special prize for cultural and art workers and the award “Belarusian Sports Olympus”.

The Head of State called the success stories and sign the awarding doc- wonderful fellow countrymen, real ascetthis evening amaz- uments. I think that Vladyka (Metropolitan ics in the field of the spiritual revival of the ing. “We have already Benjamin. — Ed.) and I think the same at this Fatherland. Everyone in their respective entered the business time. Every professional or personal achieve- fields has achieved more than just excellent rhythm of the coming ment is primarily based on hardworking and results. Their very activity cements sociNew Year, but we are honest people. People who bring themselves ety, strengthens its united spirit, makes our still in the atmosphere to their mission, live and work for the benefit awareness of ourselves a single nation more of bright and good New of their native country and people. This is pat- solid and deep, glorifies the country and the Year and Christmas holidays. In the atmos- riotism”, the President said. people living in it. The state highly apprephere that many years ago inspired us to Alexander Lukashenko noted that pat- ciates such services. They are honored with create a unique award “For Spiritual Re- riotism is expressed in love for children these special awards. vival”, the President noted. and disinterested desire to surround those The words of Metropolitan of Minsk

Alexander Lukashenko stressed that the whom fate has deprived of their maternal and Zaslavl, Patriarchal Exarch of all Belarus award ceremony is one of the main events affection with care, in a selfless struggle for Benjamin that followed after the ceremony of the year. It has firmly entered the life of the life and health of people, in a careful at- sounded in tune with the atmosphere that Belarusians as a modern tradition that con- titude to the cultural heritage of the nation, reigned in the hall. He turned to honored nects the past and present of the native land, age-old traditions and spiritual values of Be- people with words of gratitude: fills the goals and aspirations of citizens with larusians. “In protecting the historical truth, — For the labors that you have undertaka special meaning, the Head of State noted. the memory of the heroes of our land, the en in the past tense, and they were crowned

“From year to year, such meetings unite informational sovereignty of the country. with such a high award. We still have a lot of us in the best and most sincere feelings: pride In educating young Belarusians in love for work ahead. Vladyka Metropolitan Filaret in worthy people, gratitude for mercy and their country and pride for their ancestors, showed us an example of selfless service to kindness, courage and heroism, admiration in sports victories for the glory of Belarus,” his native Belarus. Day, night, to the detrifor the creativity and talent of our compatri- the Head of State added. ment of his health, he bore good results and ots. We, Belarusians, are people with a beauti- It is already a good Christmas tradi- stood at the origins of this wonderful event, a ful soul. I think about this every time I study tion. On these bright days, we honor our wonderful evening, and the revival of spiritual

CELEBRATIONS IN HONOR OF THE LAUREATES

life throughout Belarus. Much has been done. May the memory of him live forever. However we still have a lot to do to develop his work. Through the spiritual, inner work of everyone on himself, through a new stage in the spiritual revival of our society we must come to unity in our society and country. This will be the result of the coming year. God send to achieve this important, meaningful goal for us. ...After Metropolitan Benjamin speech, Alexander Lukashenko again came to the microphone. In the person of those present, he addressed all our fellow countrymen: — There are some good, kind moments in life, there are also sad ones. Then you especially think about the meaning of life. I will put it this way, in a popular way: you know, life is so short. Let’s do our best not to waste this time on empty talk, unnecessary deeds, especially destruction.

This is clearly not about those present in the hall and on the stage. The Head of State addressed them as follows: — These are 3000 reliable, honest (I know) patriots. Everything depends on us — and the future of our country. Remember and pay special attention to what I said in my message to you on New Year’s Eve: God forbid us in the heat of this madness - worldwide madness — to lose what we will never return. To lose irrevocably, to ruin with your own hands what has been done over the past quarter century. We did it with you! You can’t lose it! Read, think, analyze and only then draw conclusions. A flurry of lies fell upon us, as well as on the whole world, and even on everyone who was the initiator of all the bad things in our life. We have to get over it. We say about ourselves that we are wise, talented. Well, let’s be wise and talented.

Alexander Lukashenko wished creative workers and clergy endurance and courage: — And most importantly — never rush... This does not mean that you should think the same way like me or Vladyka, like everyone else sitting here on this stage. No. But before drawing conclusions, take your time. A lot depends on our word. Take your time, so that later it will not be painful and shameful to exist and live in this society that we have built. We must walk the path with dignity and save our country for future generations.

To those gathered — happiness, health, live together and not quarrel: — We have all. What is not, we will earn. We are able to do this. And we will definitely do it.

The President also said warm words in memory of Vladyka Filaret: — Vladyka Filaret lived for 85 years. It would seem a lot. But I remember our first meetings. This is a moment. It’s nothing at all in history. Not even a moment. Therefore, life is very short. Take care of each other. Show an example to your children how to live, so that it would be a little easier for them in life.

Then there was a concert. Just like the solemn part of the event, it was filled with deep meanings. Children and adults performed. Folk and modern songs were played. About the country. About people. About our land. About everything that, as the Head of State said, in no case should be lost. That at any cost you need to save for yourself, your children and future generations. The thoughts and moods of the Head of State, spectators, laureates and performers here unambiguously coincided. Let’s be sure — all our people. A big basket of light flowers from the President was a good symbol of this unity. In the finale, it was taken to the stage under the overflow of bell ringing. It was seen only as a good sign of a common big and bright future. By Alexander Pimenov