N. Kochanova discusses urgent issues with clergy of the Slonim diocese

The restoration of rural churches,spiritual unity in the society and other urgent issues were discussed with clergy of Slonim Diocese by the head of the Council of the Republic Natalya Kochanova. The occasion of the visit was the anniversary of the vicar of the Zhirovichi monastery, Archbishop of Novogrudok and Slonim Gury. Under him, the monastery has become more beautiful and the churches in the territory of the monastery have been reconstructed. Natalya Kochanova thanked the vicar for the development of the Orthodox education and his selfless work.

At the initiative of the clergy of the Zhirovichi monastery, the Chairperson of the Council of the Republic also held a meeting with the clergy. They came from all over the Slonim diocese. The very atmosphere was conducive to a warm heart-to-heart talk. There were a lot of questions. They spoke both about revival of rural churches with small parishes and about the forthcoming reconstruction of the main church of the monastery - the Cathedral of the Assumption. One of the pressing issues is the access of priests to parishioners who are in hospital during the coronavirus restrictions.

Natalya Kochanova also got familiar with the life of the monastery and visited the grave of the hero of Belarus, honorary Patriarch Exarch of All Belarus Filaret.

The Zhirovichi Holy Dormition Monastery is the oldest centre of the Belarusian Orthodoxy. Last year the monastery celebrated its 500th anniversary. The monastery has never been closed during its history. The monastery keeps one of the most revered shrines of the Orthodox Church, the icon of the Mother of God. It is believed to have healing powers and is only a few centimetres in size.