Patriarch Kirill Meets Belarusian President Lukashenko, Discusses Inter-Faith Harmony and Presents Award

OCP News Service – 07/06/2025

Minsk-Belarus: His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Rus’ met with President Alexander Grigorievich Lukashenko of the Republic of Belarus at the Palace of Independence in Minsk on June 6, 2025. The meeting, which included Metropolitan Veniamin of Minsk and Zaslavl, Patriarchal Exarch of All Belarus, underscored the strong ties between the Russian Orthodox Church and Belarus. (Source: Press Service of the Patriarch of Moscow and All Rus’, June 6, 2025).

President Lukashenko welcomed Patriarch Kirill, expressing gratitude for his visit and acknowledging the “peace and quiet” in which Belarus is developing. He emphasized the country’s efforts to adhere to religious commandments and mentioned his initiative to create religious centers for different faiths, including Orthodox and Catholic, to ensure religious harmony and pilgrimage opportunities. Patriarch Kirill affirmed this approach, stating, “That’s how it should be… traditional religions do not pursue such goals [of division].”

During the meeting, Patriarch Kirill awarded President Lukashenko the Order of the Blessed Prince Daniel of Moscow, 1st degree, an honor established in 1988 to commemorate the 1000th anniversary of the Baptism of Rus’. The decree for this award, signed on August 30, 2024, recognized President Lukashenko’s contributions to the development of church-state relations.

Patriarch Kirill commended Belarus for its “enormous changes” and progress under Lukashenko’s leadership, highlighting the “true friendship and mutual assistance” between the Belarusian and Russian peoples. “The Patriarch is the Patriarch of all Rus’, including Belarus,” His Holiness stated, emphasizing the close cultural and faith connections between the two nations.

Following the meeting, Patriarch Kirill shared his impressions with media, describing Belarus as a country where he feels “one of his own,” noting the alignment of cultural, faith, and strategic political directions. He also touched upon humanitarian issues, stressing the Church’s stance on minimizing suffering in conflict, including the absolute necessity of prisoner exchanges with Ukraine when possible

Addressing questions on relations with the Roman Catholic Church, Patriarch Kirill expressed support for developing ties, viewing them as an important factor for reconciliation and trust-building between countries and peoples, consistent with the Gospel’s call for peace and love.

After the media interaction, His Holiness departed from Minsk International Airport for Moscow, seen off by Belarusian officials and clergy.

Source:

OCP News Service