ZHIROVICHI, 19 September (BelTA) – I hope that the church would help revive the toloka tradition of mutual aid for improvement efforts, both at religious sites and beyond, Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko said as he met with clergy during his visit to the monastery in Zhirovichi, BelTA has learned.
“Everyone should get involved. And first of all, I really expect the church to help us bring back that good old tradition from the Soviet times, which was about people getting together to work, without asking for money. I am sure that there are many people here who are ready to pitch in,” the head of state said.
He urged the clergy to be more active in this matter and to cooperate with the authorities. “We will proceed from this,” Aleksandr Lukashenko stated.
“If we do not act, no one else will do it for us, regardless of how virtuous our children or how fine our youth may be,” the president added.