From March 19th to May 10th in the National Library of Belarus (the circular hall on the 2nd floor) is open an exhibition "The commendable life” dedicated to Metropolital of Minsk and Slutsk, Patriarchal Exarch of Belarus Philaret.

The Orthodox Church has always played a significant role in the centuries-old history of the Belarusian people. Orthodoxy has promoted the formation of national consciousness and patriotism and exerted a profound influence on preservation and development of culture, traditions and spirituality of the Belarusians and friendly relations between peoples.

By divine intent, the Belarusian people occupy the geopolitical center of Europe thus our destiny is to be a consolidating core of the Slavonic community and to preserve and reinforce Orthodoxy.

Metropolitan Philaret (his mundane name is Cyril Vakhromeev), the founder and head of the Belarusian Orthodox Church, is the outstanding religious and public figure of the modern history of the Church. On the occasion of his 75^th anniversary, the National Library of Belarus offers the anniversary exhibition “The commendable life”.

The major section of the exhibition – “The man of God” – is dedicated to this famous personality and includes works by Metropolitan Philaret and materials on his life and the service of God and people in Belarus. At the exhibition visitors can learn the biography of His Eminence.

At present, the relations between the Church and the State are based on the Law of the Republic of Belarus “On the religious freedom and religious organizations”. Having adopted the tolerant, multiconfessional model which guarantees the equal rights to the western and the eastern traditions, the State ensures a safe society. Documents reflecting the peculiarities of the modern church life in Belarus are displayed in the section “The Church and the State”.

The section “The Orthodox word in Belarus” is an important part of the exposition that presents books edited by the Belarusian Exarchate Publishing House. The history of the Russian Orthodox Church, encyclopedias of Orthodox holidays, information on the major Orthodox sanctuaries (churches and cathedrals, monasteries, wonder-working icons, saint relics and saint sources) located both in Belarus and abroad, calendars and prayer books and photo albums are displayed at the holiday exposition. Also there are electronic editions: a unique reference book“Theological encyclopedia” (comprises 6 600 articles), the electronic copy of the bibliography “The history of early Christianity” (the National Library of Belarus, 2004), including literature published in 800–1995 in the Russian and Belarusian languages.

Besides, the exposition comprises editions by church and mundane publishing houses on development of Orthodox education in Belarus, including collected materials of St. Euphrosyne Pedagogical Lectures, one of the major pedagogical forums on the issues of Orthodox pedagogy and education.

Easter is the greatest holiday in Orthodoxy since this is the supreme manifestation of the omnipotence of Christ, consolidation of belief and pledge of our resurrection. Easter celebration is not only the main ceremonial rite, but also the core of Christian spirituality. This year Easter is celebrated on April 4^th. A particular section of the exposition is dedicated to this major Orthodox holiday.

Contact: (+375-17) 293-28-86, 293-29-80.

Dear users! The subject lists of literature displayed at the Library exhibitions are available in all reading rooms at any workbench.

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The commendable life

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