News & Events in Belarus

MOSCOW, 22 November (BelTA) – Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko wished happy 70th birthday to Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia at the Cathedral of Christ the Savior in Moscow on 22 November.

Alexander Lukashenko and Patriarch Kirill exchanged warm greetings. “I would like to congratulate you on behalf of myself and the entire Belarusian nation. You know that you are highly regarded in Belarus,” the Belarusian leader said.

“We brought you commemorative gifts,” Alexander Lukashenko said. He explained that Belarus has restored Slutsk sashes, an important element of the country’s cultural heritage. As for the painting, it depicts the church that Patriarch Kirill visited not long ago, the Belarusian head of state noted.

Alexander Lukashenko wished Patriarch Kirill health and energy.

After that, the Belarusian head of state and the Patriarch left to have a brief conversation.

The painting features St. Nicholas Garrison Church in Brest. It was erected in the mid-19th century as a copy of the Constantinople Hagia Sophia. This garrison church was visited by the Russian Emperors starting from Alexander II, and by the Presidents of the Russian Federation.

In July 2015, 74 years after the beginning of the Great Patriotic War, Patriarch Kirill visited the Brest Hero Fortress Memorial and conducted a service in St. Nicholas Garrison Church in memory of the defenders of the Brest Fortress and all those who fell in the Great Patriotic War.

Earlier, Patriarch Kirill stated that he has personal connections with Brest: “My uncle is believed to have died either in Brest Fortress or near the walls of Brest Fortress. There is still no accurate information. For many years we believed that he was missing but then it became clear that he was killed."