Lukashenko: The state and the Orthodox Church have many points of contact

The state and the Orthodox Church have many points of contact. This was stated by President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko on March 14 at a meeting with the Synod of the Belarusian Orthodox Church, BelTA reports.

Upon arrival at the Minsk Diocesan Administration, Alexander Lukashenko, together with Metropolitan Benjamin, visited the Church of the Cathedral of All Belarusian Saints, where he lit a candle.

Metropolitan Benjamin invited Alexander Lukashenko to the library, where he was shown various rare books. Then the President visited the office where Metropolitan Filaret, Honorary Patriarchal Exarch of All Belarus, worked. This room in the diocesan administration is preserved in its original form.

"You did a great job preserving everything! Thank you very much for that!" said the head of state. He also recalled his meetings with Metropolitan Filaret.

The President expressed words of gratitude to Metropolitan Benjamin of Minsk and Zaslavl, Patriarchal Exarch of All Belarus, for the invitation to participate in the Synod.

"Strong foundations for interaction between the Belarusian Orthodox Church and our authorities, the state as a whole, have been laid in our country. It could not have been otherwise. The history of Orthodoxy in Belarusian lands is inextricably linked with the history of the formation of our statehood," said the President. He noted that here, at the crossroads of civilizations, military actions had repeatedly unfolded. In such conditions, it was extremely difficult for a separate people to form and assert themselves, let alone create a state.

"Belarusians managed to do it. Largely thanks to the spiritual core of our ancestors. Therefore, the state and the Orthodox Church have many points of contact," emphasized Alexander Lukashenko.

The President drew attention to the fact that the current meeting is of great importance in the current geopolitical conditions and on the eve of important political events within the country.

"We remember how in 2020 some priests (unfortunately, some Orthodox ones too) got involved in politics, to put it mildly. I will say that the state has special institutions and trained people for this. The Church's business is to set moral Christian guidelines," said Alexander Lukashenko.

The Head of State, addressing the Synod participants, proposed to focus on the following issues: is everything being done to ensure that strangers with ill intentions do not enter Belarusian churches, do not begin to change traditions, and dictate how to live.

"As President and head of a multi-confessional state, where the Belarusian Orthodox Church plays not a leading, but a special role, I would like to hear what the Church lacks and what else the state needs to do, where we may have missed the situation. To approach the issues that need to be resolved today in a practical manner," said the Belarusian leader. "What practical part of the work to heal the ailments of our society are you ready to take on? Is the Church itself ready to change, without altering its spiritual ideals and values?"

Alexander Lukashenko called on all present for an open, thorough dialogue: "The main thing is that our conversation, as always, should be honest, sincere, and frank."

Source: belta.by