Minsk, April 17, 2019
Photo: sputnik.by
A working meeting dedicated to the construction of the first canonical Old Believer church in Belarus was held on March 15 at the Minsk parish of the Joy of All Who Sorrow Icon of the Mother of God. The new church will be named in honor of the holy Prophet Elijah, reports sobor.by.
The meeting was attended by Igumen Peter (Vasiliev) from Moscow who serves as the spiritual father for the Old Believer communities in Belarus, the local dean and rector of the Joy of All Who Sorrow Church Archpriest Igor Korostelev and members of the Old Believer community. They discussed matters of construction and documentation, as well as the current affairs of the parish.
The layout of the church complex, including a church and Sunday School, is already ready. It is intended that the complex will become a center for Belarusian Old Believers. For now, the Old Believer faithful of the Belarusian Church pray in house churches.
The land for the new complex was allocated by the state in 2016.
Fr. Peter had just arrived in Minsk a few days prior and served Liturgy for the faithful of the Prophet Elijah parish and visited several shut-ins.
The community in question had been part of a group of priestless Old Believers, but decided to restore the priesthood and join the canonical Belarusian Orthodox Church in 2005, being officially accepted by the Holy Synod of the Belarusian Church in 2006. Fr. Igor was instrumental in bringing the parish into the Church.
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