The new metropolitan called on Belarusians to suppress spiritual turmoil by extending the Dormition Fast
The new Metropolitan of Belarus, Bishop Benjamin, appointed on Tuesday by decision of the Holy Synod of the Russian Orthodox Church, called on the Orthodox to extend the Dormition Fast, which ends on the evening of August 27 on the eve of the Dormition of the Virgin Mary, by three days.
The first address of the new metropolitan was published on the official website of the Belarusian Orthodox Church, a PolitNavigator correspondent reports.
“I urge all Christians to strictly observe fasting and extend it for three days. During fasting we will intensify public and personal prayer for Belarus. We will unite in churches and in the temple areas for joint prayer, we will light lamps of fervent prayer throughout Belarus, in every home,” Veniamin said.
He also called on believers to repent of their sins.
“All of us, Orthodox believers, knowing the power of common prayer and realizing that, in addition to external confrontation, there is a spiritual struggle for our Fatherland in the heart of each of us, are called to strengthen our prayer... The latest sorrowful events in our Fatherland occurred because our hearts tilted in the bad direction because the light of Christ could not shine in this dark time, when the sin of lawlessness manifested itself.
I believe that if we enthusiastically, diligently and unanimously fulfill our intention to spend these three days in fasting, prayer and repentance, we will quickly see the response of Heaven and understand what we, the inhabitants of Belarus, need to do to defeat evil with good and prevent further evil,” said Benjamin.
If you find an error, please select a piece of text and press Ctrl + Enter.
Thank you!
Now the editors are aware.