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The visionary of Polotsk: Defining Euphrosyne's lasting mission

An archive photo

MINSK, 3 February (BelTA) – Euphrosyne of Polotsk was one of the first female enlighteners and founders of women's monasticism, tour guide Sofia Macharashvili said in the latest episode of the V Teme. Nashi [On Point. The Nation’s Pride] project on BelTA’s YouTube channel.

The East Slavic enlightener and patroness did not merely built stone churches but also introduced people to spiritual beauty. During the construction projects Euphrosyne of Polotsk received support from all who cared. "Believing people helped with the construction, seeing in her a giant of a person,” Sofia Macharashvili said.

She pointed to another reason why churches served as centers of attraction for people. "Problems, worries, illnesses… Where could people turn with these? Of course, they went to God's place. Then they would tell each other that it had helped them. This is also evidenced by records. For example, in Budslau [the Church of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, a Catholic church in the town of Budslau, Myadel District, Minsk Oblast] there is a huge book with the records how people were healed. Everything is recorded by name, with months and years indicated," she noted.

Blogger Ksenia Leshchinskaya added that in the 12th century, when churches, especially stone ones, were few in number, the uniqueness and beauty of such structures were especially valued. Nowadays, there are many buildings with distinctive architecture, but back in the day the appearance of a stone church, for instance, in Polotsk or Yaroslavl, was a truly significant event.

Sofia Macharashvili recalled the well-known saying that the Lord grants a special moment for prayer. “Our passionate Polotsk is precisely that moment. As you travel through cities and towns, you begin to love your homeland so deeply that it moves you to the core. We have the opportunity to see these churches. Vishnevo, Volozhin, the wonderful Ivenets.. There is something special in all of them. Euphrosyne was at the beginning of this journey,” she added.

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