back_pattern

Address: 2 Karl Marx Street, Senno 211117, Vitebsk oblast

Е-mail: info@senno.vitebsk-region.gov.by

Phone: 02135 5-53-47

Hot line 02135 5-52-96

National News

29 April 2019

Lukashenko lights candle at Church of Nativity to mark Easter

Belarus President Aleksandr Lukashenko lit a candle at the Chruch of the Nativity of Christ in the agro-town of Ostroshitsy, Logoisk District to mark Easter on 28 April, BelTA has learned.

The head of state was welcomed at the church by archpriest Aleksandr Zimnitsky. The president lit a candle and extended Easter greetings to churchgoers.

Aleksandr Lukashenko usually visits small churches outside the Belarusian capital on Easter. “On this day I visit small villages. I have already seen many churches and every time I do my best to provide some help. I like all those temples very much. I do not like grandiosity,” the head of state said.

According to the president, grandiosity looks harmonious only in places which symbolize something. “The Palace of Independence, for example, looks grey from outside, but it is pompous inside as it symbolizes the independence of our state. It was built in honor of independence,” Aleksandr Lukashenko said.

The head of state hailed the decorations of the church in Ostroshitsy, wished strong health and good mood to the churchgoers and all the best to the Belarusians. “I wish all the best not only to Belarusians. You know that we are closely watched today. Let them do this. If God is with us, everything will be fine,” the president said.

Aleksandr Lukashenko gave the church the Icon of the Resurrection of Christ written in Viktor Dovnar’s workshop with the use of the ancient Byzantine technology and treated the churchgoers with President chocolate.

The icon depicts the resurrected Christ wearing white garments. He descends into Hades and raises all those who have fallen through death. Christ is shown holding out his hand to Adam. The icon also depicts prophets Solomon and David, saint John the Baptist, Eve, and forefathers Abel, Abraham and Moses.

The archpriest of the church gave the head of state the Icon of Holy Mother Iverskaya. The icon depicts the Virgin Mary with a baby. The original is kept in the Iversky Monastery on Mount Athos in Greece.

BELARUSIAN NEWS

back_pattern