International Orthodox Christian News

His Holiness also visited the nearby wooden Church of the Holy and Life-Giving Trinity, where he was met by the rector and the parishioners.

In the interview to the journalists His Holiness summed up his visit to Belarus. He noted that the state authorities and the President had paid much attention to the celebration of the 1020^th anniversary of the Baptism of Russia. His Holiness underscored that memory of this event has united many people. '…The Bishops' Council of the Russian Orthodox Church held last June issued a resolution on the necessity to consolidate Orthodox unity. This was a motto of the celebrations in Kiev.' His Holiness also told his audience that idea of the Orthodox unity was the keynote of the meeting of the Primates and representatives of the Local Orthodox Churches.

'We ought to manifest the unity of Orthodox before the secular world and the non-Orthodox Churches, and we must oppose any attempts to divide us, - His Holiness said.

As to his impressions of his visit to Belarus, the Primate of the Russian Orthodox Church said: 'I visited Belarus and its capital six years ago, and now I could hardly recognize Minsk.' He mentioned many new building that adorn the city, and the National Library of Belarus in particular where many people come who are introduced to the written word. His Holiness also said that the concert performed for the 1020^th anniversary of the Baptism of Russian had shown how talented are Belorussian people, and the young generation in particular.

'I wholeheartedly wish the Belorussian people led by their spiritual and civil authorities God's help, peace, accord, prosperity and success in their work,' His Holiness Patriarch Alexy II of Moscow and All Russian said in conclusion.

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