Catholic Festival in Budslau Held for the First Time with Participation of Head of BPC and Russian Ambassador

Midnight Mass in Budslau. Photo: catholic.by

As reported by the "Christian Vision" Telegram channel, citing the welcoming speech of Metropolitan of Minsk and Mogilev Archbishop Iosif Staneuski,

the main holy mass on July 4 was held with the participation of the head of the BPC, Metropolitan Veniamin. In addition to him, leaders of the Jewish and Islamic confessions, Russian Ambassador Boris Gryzlov, and other diplomats were present at the service.

The state apparatus was represented by the Deputy Commissioner for Religious and Nationalities Affairs Siarhei Herasimenia, the leadership of the Myadzel District Executive Committee, as well as representatives of pro-government public associations — the "Belarusian Union of Women" and the Peace Foundation.

Павялічыць

Metropolitan of Minsk and Mogilev Archbishop Iosif Staneuski. Photo: catholic.by

Павялічыць

Midnight Mass in Budslau. Photo: catholic.by

Павялічыць

Midnight Mass in Budslau. Photo: catholic.by

The channel's authors note that such a format is a demonstration of the "unity" of confessions and the state, which has become a new trend dictated by the authorities.

In his sermon, Archbishop Staneuski emphasized that from this year, Budslau has officially become a "spiritual center," and noted that this status was granted to it on the initiative of Alexander Lukashenka. The hierarch articulated the thesis that "the Church and the state are a family of families," and thanked the country's leadership for financial support. According to him, an agreement has been reached on financing the restoration of the Budslau church after the fire on a parity basis: 50% of the costs are borne by the state, and another 50% by the Church. A museum has already been opened in the temple, and a Pilgrim's House is planned for the future.

Павялічыць

Midnight Mass in Budslau. Photo: catholic.by

According to a recent decree by Alexander Lukashenka on supporting "spiritual centers," 3.4 million rubles were allocated from the state budget for the restoration of the Orthodox cathedral in Zhirovichi, and about 260 thousand rubles for repair work in the Catholic church in Budslau. The fire in the National Sanctuary, which severely damaged the church's roof, occurred on May 11, 2021.

Despite the official presence, the main participants of the festival remained the faithful. According to official statistics announced after the services, this year 2680 pilgrims arrived in Budslau from various corners of Belarus, covering a total of 2717 kilometers on foot. Among them were 114 families with 150 children. The youngest pilgrim, brought by his parents from Minsk in five days, was only 26 days old. The oldest participant in the walking pilgrimages was 78 years old. The first pilgrimage on unicycles, consisting of 15 people, also arrived in Budslau, having traveled the Dauhinava — Budslau route.

Павялічыць

Midnight Mass in Budslau. Photo: catholic.by

It is worth noting that on July 3, the day of the official state holiday – Independence Day – prayers for Belarus were also heard in Budslau, and at noon, as in all Orthodox churches in the country, a festive bell ringing took place.

The Budslau Festival, which is included in UNESCO's Intangible Cultural Heritage list, this year was held under the motto "Glory to God – Hope in Mary – Loyalty to the Church" and was timed to coincide with the 35th anniversary of the restoration of the structures of the Catholic Church in Belarus.

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