News & Events in Belarus

All-Belarus prayer for peace held at Khatyn memorial

LOGOISK DISTRICT, 22 March (BelTA) – An All-Belarus prayer for peace took place at the Khatyn Memorial Complex during the nationwide commemorative rally timed to the 78th anniversary of the Khatyn tragedy on 21 March, BelTA has learned.

Attending the event were Belarus President Aleksandr Lukashenko and leaders of the country’s four leading traditional religious denominations. Metropolitan Veniamin of Minsk and Zaslavl, Patriarchal Exarch of All Belarus, spoke on behalf of all of them.

“At this mournful place, we ask ourselves why the tragedy happened here. Why people killed our compatriots, young and old, so cruelly,” Metropolitan Veniamin said.

He wondered what should be done so that such a tragedy would never happen again. He found answers in the words of prophets. “Two components. First of all - love for God. The second commandment is about sincere love for your neighbor, from the bottom of your heart. Do not do unto others what you would not want done to yourself,” said Metropolitan Veniamin of Minsk and Zaslavl, Patriarchal Exarch of All Belarus.

Metropolitan Veniamin noted that those people who had brought so much suffering to the Belarusian land faced appropriate retribution, for they have sown the wind, and they shall reap the whirlwind.

“We are worried about the future of our country. We strive and wish to continue our life in peace, harmony, unity. Let us add our prayer to these efforts,” he said.

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