Discovering Orthodox Belarus

In July 2000 the first extended youth pilgrimage across Western Belarus was sponsored
by the Brotherhood of Orthodox Youth of Kostantin Ostrozhski with the support of the Belarusian Orthodox Brotherhood of Three Vilnya Martyrs.
Our route took us through towns and villages throughout the Grodno region. We began our pilgrimage at the Church of Saints Boris and Gleb in Grodno and concluded at the Monastery of the Holy Assumption in Zhirovitchi, where the Minsk Theological Seminary and Academy are located.
Through singing and praying in numerous ancient and modern Belarusian churches, we discovered Belarusian spiritual culture and experienced the living Orthodox Christian traditions of our people. It was also very interesting to meet local priests and believers in provincial parishes. In turn, it was very interesting and joyful for them to see a large number of young Orthodox youth, because in many provincial communities only elderly people attend church services. We shared our successes,
discoveries, problems and plans and wanted to convey inspiration to the dedicated young priests who are working to establish a viable youth movement in the Church.
Our youth brotherhood plans to make this pilgrimage an annual event, and we invite everyone to participate and contribute to its success. You may contact us at bpbtvm@nsys.by. - Anastasia Chernik Belarusian youth visited a number of provincial parishes and other religious sites during pilgrimage through western Belarus.