On January 8, 2025, in the Palace of the Republic in Minsk, a solemn ceremony of awarding the prizes of the President of the Republic of Belarus «For Spiritual Revival», a special prize to the figures of culture and art, as well as the prize «Belarusian Sports Olympus» took place.
The event was attended by the Patriarchal Exarch of All Belarus Metropolitan of Minsk and the Orthodox Church of All Belarus.
The event was attended by Patriarchal Exarch of All Belarus Metropolitan of Minsk and Zaslavl Veniamin. The hall was attended by clergymen of the Belarusian Orthodox Church, heads and employees of ministries and departments, parliamentarians, representatives of scientific and creative intelligentsia.
Opening the solemn event, President of the Republic of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko noted: «All the achievements of the laureates and their activities have a high spiritual and patriotic sound. It is especially important now, when the country is preparing to celebrate the sacred date of the 80th anniversary of the Great Victory. We cherish the memory of the past, confidently move forward and boldly look to the future.
In his welcoming speech, the Primate of the Belarusian Orthodox Church congratulated those gathered on Christmas and thanked the laureates for their selfless labor, which resulted in high awards. «Believe, that many and many people will follow you, following your example, doing their work for the good of our Fatherland, for the beautification of the cities and towns of our country, » — emphasized the bishop.
Ladyka Veniamin expressed confidence that the difficulties encountered on the path of life and in the fate of the country, «undoubtedly contribute to the fact that the spiritual and moral components in our society have become even stronger, even more shining and bearing good fruit». «Kvitneye, native Belarus! »— — wished Metropolitan Veniamin in conclusion.
Among the laureates — Archpriest Oleg Kuntsevich, chairman of the Publishing Council of the Belarusian Orthodox Church, rector of the parish of the Church of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross in Minsk. The clergyman received high public recognition for his great personal contribution to the spiritual enlightenment, moral and patriotic education of young people, preservation of the memory of the heroic deeds of the Belarusian people during the Great Patriotic War and the creation of a museum at the church dedicated to the dead prisoners of the Nazi death camp for prisoners of war «Stalag 352» — the place of death and burial of more than 80,000 Soviet prisoners of war.
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Prize of the President of the Republic of Belarus «For Spiritual Revival» was established in 1997 on the initiative of the Belarusian Orthodox Church. It is awarded annually for outstanding works of literature and art and (or) active work in the humanitarian field, contributing to the preservation and multiplication of the national cultural heritage, fostering love for the Fatherland in young people, affirmation of spiritual values and artistic and moral traditions, ideas of humanity, charity and mercy. Artists of culture, literature, art, architecture, health care, education, science, social protection, mass media, foster parents, guardians, clergymen, other persons, as well as authors, creative and other groups of workers can be nominated for the award.
Official website of the BOC/Patriarchy.ru
