Metropolitan Veniamin: focus of solving humanity-facing problems shifting to spiritual sphere

The focus of solving the problems that the humanity faces is now shifting to the spiritual sphere – as stated by Metropolitan Veniamin of Minsk and Zaslavl, the Patriarchal Exarch of All Belarus, at today’s meeting of Belarus’ President Aleksandr Lukashenko with the Synod of the Belarusian Orthodox Church, BelTA reports

Metropolitan Veniamin shared his vision of the modern world and focused on issues on which, in his opinion, the future of the country and the people depends, “We see that the world is changing and becoming more unpredictable. At the same time, an increasing number of scientists and analysts recognise that the focus of solving the problems that the humanity faces is shifting to the spiritual sphere. Modern conflicts between countries are accompanied by mental wars aimed at changing people’s attitude towards their state, society, and traditional values. These processes are gaining momentum and, unfortunately, achieve their goal in many aspects. We can see this in the example of our nearest neighbours.”

“Christianity is the basis of our people’s strength. Moreover, it is actually Orthodoxy for many, since it has not just brought high moral values to our lands, but also defined the idea of statehood as a common service of everyone in their place,” he added.

Metropolitan Veniamin also spoke about the importance of establishing ‘trusting relations between the government and the people, unity and striving for the elevation of moral and spiritual life as the basis of peace and harmony in society’.

The Synod [‘assembly’, ‘cathedral’ in Greek] is the supreme governing body of the Belarusian Orthodox Church headed by the Patriarchal Exarch of All Belarus, and it has the highest ecclesiastical legislative, judicial and executive power within its structure.

The Belarusian Orthodox Church has 1,737 religious communities, 36 monasteries and convents, 1 mission, 15 brotherhoods, 9 sisterhoods, and 6 religious educational institutions. There are 1,878 churches, and 147 more are under construction.