Patriarch Kirill to lead liturgy in Polotsk to mark 1030th anniversary of Orthodoxy in Belarus

2022 marks the 1030th anniversary of the founding of the Polotsk Eparchy, the first one in the Belarusian lands. In honor of the 1030th anniversary of Orthodoxy in the Belarusian lands, Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia will lead the Divine Liturgy in Savior and St Euphrosyne Convent in Polotsk on 5 June, BelTA learned from the Polotsk Eparchy.

"The main events will be held in Savior and St Euphrosyne Convent. At 10.00 Patriarch Kirill will meet with the clergy and then will lead a divine liturgy. The festive service will be attended by the entire Belarusian episcopate, and members of the Synod of the Russian Orthodox Church," the Polotsk Eparchy said.

For Orthodox believers, this holiday is of great importance. "Belarusian statehood was born in Polotsk, and this city became the cradle of Orthodoxy in our lands. The Polotsk land gave the Belarusian Orthodox Church the largest number of saints. But this is not only the only reason why this date is important for the eparchy. Celebrating auch a great date returns us to the roots of Orthodoxy, strengthens us in the faith and fills our hearts with joy," the eparchy stressed.

5 June also marks the Feast Day of the Venerable Blessed Princess Euphrosyne of Polotsk - the main patroness of not only Polotsk but also the whole of Belarus. The convent, the construction of which was initiated by the saint, is still a place of pilgrimage for both our compatriots and believers from all over the world. People of all faiths come here to ask the Belarusian patroness for help and venerate the relics of the holy relics of the nun.