The presidents of Belarus and Russia, Aleksandr Lukashenko and Vladimir Putin, met on the island of Valaam (Lake Ladoga) in Karelia, BelTA has learned.

When in the Valaam Monastery of the Transfiguration of the Savior, the heads of state visited the Church of the Smolensk Icon of the Mother of God on the grounds of the Smolensk hermitage.

The Belarusian president is in Russia on a working visit. The Belarusian president is scheduled to hold talks with Russian leader Vladimir Putin in various formats. The heads of state are set to discuss topical issues of Belarusian-Russian relations, the status of the Union State projects, regional security and the international agenda.

The heads of state have previously visited the island together twice. Last year, also in July, they visited the Valaam Monastery of the Transfiguration of the Savior.

For the first time, Aleksandr Lukashenko and Vladimir Putin visited Valaam together in July 2019.

The Valaam Monastery is one of the most revered monasteries in Russia. The monastery attracts over 100,000 pilgrims and tourists every year.

It is not clear when the Valaam Monastery was founded. According to some chronicles, a place for the cloister was designated by Apostle Andrew the First Called in the 1st century. Another source refers the time of founding to the 10th - 11th centuries. Documentary sources such as the Tale of Valaam Monastery say that the monastery was founded in 1407. The monastery had its heyday in the 15th-16th centuries when the monk population reached 600.

Subsequent years marked the architectural development of the monastery. Yet it suffered a lot, particularly during wars between Russia and Sweden, and also during a fire. By the 19th century Valaam Monastery re-flourished. Many architectural buildings were built at that time. They have survived till present day and are considered objects of historical and cultural heritage.

After the Soviet-Finnish military clashes the Valaam Archipelago once again came into the possession of Russia. The buildings began to be used for civilian needs. In the 1960s, the authorities began to organize tours for those who wanted to see Valaam. The museum-reserve was opened in 1979.

The monastery started getting back to old ways in 1989. The main buildings were transferred to the Leningrad Eparchy. The first monks came in December 1989. There were 6 of them.

All architectural structures of the Valaam Monastery have been restored by now.

belta.by