President of Belarus congratulates Metropolitan Benjamin on his birthday

Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko congratulated Metropolitan Benjamin of Minsk and Zaslavl, High Priest of All Belarus, on his birthday, according to BelTA.

"The Orthodox Church plays an important role in maintaining interfaith harmony in our country. Through your archpastoral ministry and prayers, you are making a great contribution to the preservation and multiplication of moral and cultural-historical values on Belarusian land, the congratulations read. "Your personal openness to dialogue with people of different generations, principles and beliefs helps each person to feel fatherly care and support in a difficult moment."

The Head of State wished Metropolitan Benjamin good health, longevity and success in his creative works: "May your wisdom, life experience continue to serve to strengthen the spiritual unity of our society."