BELARUS

Minsk - At the end of 2000 the Theological Seminary and Academy of Minsk founded its own magazine, that appeared to be the first church magazine in Belarus. The authors and makers of the magazine, which was given the name "Stupeni" ("stairs"), are the students of the Seminary. In the editorial of the first issue they stated that the magazine is addressed not only to the seminarists, but also to the students of lay educational establishments and people of older generations.

Its content is marked by topical variety: interviews, recollections, historic and theological research, information about the life of the Seminary, reflections on culture and poetry. The rector of the Seminary, Archimandrite Leonid, expressed the hope that in the future, "Stupeni" will unite Orthodox youth in the whole of Belarus.

If you are interested in subscribing to the magazine "Stupeni", contact the Seminary on fax: +375 1562 25806

Belarussian Orthodox Youth celebrate the World Day of Orthodox Youth, February 2001

Minsk - With the blessing of Metropolitan Filaret of Minsk and Slutsk, the celebration of the World Day of Orthodox Youth took place in Minsk from 14 - 15 February 2001, on the Day of Meeting of the Lord, in the parish center of the church of the icon of Mother of God, "Joy of All Sorrows", with a seminar on the theme of "Youth and the Church".

Participants included representatives of the youth movements of Minsk, Grodna, Vitebsk, Turau and Polatsk dioceses of the Belarusian Orthodox Church (BOC). The opening welcome was addressed by the head of the BOC, Metropolitan Filaret. The seminar also hosted the UNESCO representatives on their official visit to Belarus, and SYNDESMOS Vice President Natalia Kulkova, who reported on the SYNDESMOS Calendar of events for 2001.

The second day of the meeting, after the Holy Liturgy in the church of St. Euphrosinia, former SYNDESMOS Secretary General, Vladimir Misijuk (now Fr Vladimir), spoke about youth work in the Polish Orthodox Church and conception of SYNDESMOS youth activities.

The participants then worked in small groups in order to identify the needs for developing youth work in the Belarusian Orthodox Church, and to make some recommendations. As a result of these discussions, the delegates expressed the interest and intention to work cooperatively, and formulated the following recommendations for future activities:

1. To create a data base/information center of youth movements in the BOC that would allow various educational and cultural joint projects in Belarus to be more effectively implemented.
2. To organize a series of youth leadership training seminars, in order to create human resources for the BOC.
3. To organize joint pilgrimages to the holy places of Belarus and to participate in the pilgrimages held by the Orthodox youth of other countries.
4. To participate actively in the catechization of the faithful in the diocese of the BOC.
5. To use annual meetings on the Day of the Meeting of the Lord for practical planning of youth activities for the current year.

Young Belarusian Christians also expressed their understanding of their role as youth in the Church: that young people are not a problem of the Church, but rather Her active resource; young people, as other members of the Church, are able and should take responsibility for the life of the Church, but this responsibility must be based on a deep understanding of Her historical experience and theological heritage.

Olga Oleinik, SYNDESMOS Central Europe Region Representative

Theological Academy and Seminary students cooperate in a joint seminar with Medics

Kuchkuny - It has become an old tradition of the students of the Theological Seminary and Academy of Minsk, together with members of the St. Nicholas brotherhood of medical students, to organize joint seminars. The most valuable element in this cooperation is the fact that both sides exchange professional knowledge on burning issues of the Church and the modern world. There is no need to explain how important it is for future spiritual guides and healers of the physical body to educate themselves and each-other, and to work together for the good of the people of God.

On 12 May 2001 the third seminar on the topic "Priesthood" was held in the parish summer camp-site of St. Peter and Paul Cathedral. The seminarists presented three theological reports on the understanding of the priesthood in the Old Testament, the New Testament and the position of Professor Osipov (Theological Seminary and Academy of St. Petersburg). The medical students from their side spoke about valeology, varicose veins, schizophrenia; topics which had been previously requested by the participants.

The organizers invited representatives of Orthodox youth movements in Minsk to participate in the event. Common prayer, discussions, singing, sport and games made the seminar an experience of true koinonia for all participants. In future such seminars are planned for broader groups of young Belarusian believers.