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On the anniversary of the birthday of metropolitan Philaret (Vakhromeyev) the memorial study of the ever-memorable archpastor is opened in Mins

On the anniversary of the birthday of metropolitan Philaret (Vakhromeyev) the memorial study of the ever-memorable archpastor is opened in Mins
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22 March 2021 year 12:19

On 21st March 2021, on the anniversary of the birthday of metropolitan Philaret (Vakhromeyev), the first Patriarchal Exarch of All Belarus, there took place the opening of the memorial study of the ever-memorable archpastor. Exhibits were displayed taken the collections of the Ecclesiastical and Historical Museum of the Belorussian Orthodox Church in the city of Minsk.

The solemn ceremony of the opening of the study began in the Church of St. Cyril of Turov at the Minsk Theological Academy with a short service of commemoration for the departed archpastor celebrated by the metropolitan of Minsk and Zaslawye Benjamin, the Patriarchal Exarch of All Belarus. Concelebrating were the rector of the Church of St. Cyril of Turov, the first deputy rector of the Minsk Theological Academy archpriest Vladimir Dolgopolov and the cleric of the Cathedral of the Holy Spirit priest Dimitry Netsvetaev.

Among the guests of honour were the bishop of Slutsk and Soligorsk Anthony, the plenipotentiary for religious affairs and nationalities of Belarus Alexander Rumak and the general director of National Museum of Arts Vladimir Prokoptsov.

“Previously, we would gather on this day to congratulate the Exarch on his birthday. Today we have come here to pray for the repose of his soul and to open the memorial study which replicates the environment in which the late metropolitan accomplished great deeds,” noted the Primate of the Belorussian Orthodox Church in addressing those present.

“If we are to characterize metropolitan Philaret’s ministry, then it would be right to recall the words which he once uttered to the students of the Minsk Theological Seminary: ‘One simply has to live actively and labour actively.’ These words were words of exhortation and encouragement to the upcoming generation, the future generation of priests. At the same time, it was the principle which the late Exarch lived by,” said metropolitan Benjamin.

“With gratitude we recall his labours and pray for the repose of his soul in the mansions of the righteous. Let us endeavour to keep his memory in the land of Belarus so that the word of God, sowed with such love by the metropolitan, may bring further fruit,” the Patriarchal Exarch appealed to those present. Those who attended this event then proceeded to the memorial study in the museum buildings located on 27, Zybitskaya St.

The children’s choir of the Church of St. Cyril of Turov performed songs in Belorussian dedicated to Zhirovichi monastery.

The museum archivist Maria Netsvetaeva acquainted the guests with the newly-opened exhibition consisting of personal effects and awards which metropolitan Philaret had personally handed over to the museum such as guest books signed by guests of honour, manuscripts, vestments, icons and items of decorative and applied art from the metropolitan’s collection. The visitors also viewed one of the late Exarch’s favourite icons before which he often prayed – the image of St. Philaret the Merciful, taken from the domestic chapel in honour of the Synaxis of the Saints of Belarus at the Minsk diocesan administration.

Metropolitan Benjamin brought to the attention of those present the simple everyday circumstances in which the late metropolitan achieved great things for the good of the homeland and the Mother Church. These achievements were rewarded by the rank of Hero of Belarus and numerous ecclesiastical awards. “But above all they were rewarded by the love of not only the Belorussian flock, but also by all those who knew and had the opportunity to converse with the Exarch beyond the confines of our country,” said metropolitan Benjamin.

Metropolitan Philaret (Vakhromeyev) was the chairman of the Department of External Church Relations of the Moscow Patriarchate from 1981 to 1989. 

***

The Ecclesiastical and Historical Museum of the Belorussian Orthodox Church was established in 2013 with the blessing of the metropolitan of Minsk and Slutsk Philaret, the Patriarchal Exarch of All Belarus, on the basis of his collection of church antiquities. The museum collection, exhibited in three halls, relates the history of the Orthodox Church in the lands of Belarus. At the opening of the museum there was also set up an exhibition dedicated to metropolitan Philaret. Its reconstruction was begun in 2020 with the blessing of the metropolitan of Minsk and Slutsk Paul, the Patriarchal Exarch of All Russia. The exhibition was enlarged by the acquisitions of the table and armchair at which the late metropolitan Philaret worked in his rooms, as well as furniture from his work study.

DECR Communication Service/Patriarchia.ru

 

Version: Russian

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