On November 12, 2024, the Belarusian State University (BSU) hosted a solemn meeting to mark the 20th anniversary of the founding of the Institute of Theology named after Saints Methodius and Cyril Belarusian State University.
The event was preceded by Divine Liturgy at the Holy Spirit Cathedral in Minsk, which was presided over by Patriarchal Exarch of All Belarus Metropolitan of Minsk and Zaslavl Veniamin, and a thanksgiving service in the Church of Equal Apostles Methodius and Cyril at the Patriarchal suburb in Minsk.
Metropolitan of Minsk and Zaslavl Veniamin.
The meeting at BSU was attended by Patriarchal Exarch of All Belarus, Metropolitan Veniamin of Minsk and Zaslavl, Rector of the Institute of Theology, Minister of Education of the Republic of Belarus Andrei Ivanets, Minister of Labor and Social Protection of the Republic of Belarus Natalia Pavlyuchenko, Commissioner for Religious and Ethnic Affairs of the Republic of Belarus Alexander Rumak, BSU Rector Andrei Korol, Bishop Serafim of Bobruisk and Bykhov, Bishop Avksenty of Nesvizh, Archpriest Sergiy Movsesyan, first vice-rector of the BSU Institute of Theology, the administration, teachers and staff of the educational institution, and the administration of the Institute.
Opening the meeting, Metropolitan Veniamin spoke about the history of the institution and its features.
Opening the meeting, Metropolitan Veniamin spoke about the history of the institution and its peculiarities. «The creation of the institute was the beginning of a long and daily labor of teachers, who to this day nurture golden grains of good qualities in their students, form personalities» — noted the bishop. According to His Eminence, the Institute of Theology — is a vivid example of an effective model of interaction between the Church and the state. «Theology is called the pinnacle of sciences, because it helps to find answers to the most important questions of human life about goals, meanings, choice of path» — concluded Vladyka Veniamin.
After the congratulations of the guests of honor the ceremony of signing the agreement on cooperation between the Ministry of Labor and Social Protection and the Institute of Theology named after Saints Methodius and Cyril BSU took place.
Afterwards, the degree of honorary doctor of the Institute of Theology named after Saints Methodius and Cyril BSU was conferred. Director of the Institute of Theology of St. Petersburg State University Dmitri Shmonin and Head of the Department of Philosophy and Religious Studies Orthodox Svyato-Tikhonovsky Humanitarian University were honored with this title. Konstantin Antonov.
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The Institute of Theology named after Saints Methodius and Cyril was established on the initiative of the Ministry of Education of Belarus and the Belarusian Orthodox Church. The institution became a part of the BSU in 2004. Metropolitan Veniamin of Minsk and Zaslavl has been the rector of the institute since 2020.
The institute currently trains students in the specialty «Theology» with the qualification «Theologian-religious scholar. Teacher of social and humanitarian disciplines» and master's students in the specialty «Theology».
The Institute has a youth association «Ichthys», discussion theological and philosophical club «Eidos», choir, theater «Batleyka»The Museum of the Bible, «Religion and Cinema» «Enlightenment Lecture», an art gallery and the social project «Equilibrium» are in operation.
Official website of the BOC/Patriarchy.ru
