On October 30, Vitebsk / Olga Bogacheva - BELTA /. Large-scale events will be held in Polotsk for the 1020th anniversary of the Polotsk Diocese, the diocese informed BELTA. The extensive program of anniversary celebrations dedicated to the memorable date, with the blessing of Archbishop Feodosiy of Polotsk and Glubokoye, will be opened on November 6 at 9:30 AM with a festive divine service in the Cathedral of the Epiphany in Polotsk. The entire clergy of the Polotsk Diocese will gather for a joint prayer at the Divine Liturgy. From November 10 to 18, the Orthodox spiritual and educational exhibition-fair "Joy of the Word" will be held near the Palace of Culture of Polotsk-Steklovolokno OJSC. A wide selection of spiritual and moral, educational, and children's literature, audio and video products, icons, and church utensils will be presented to the residents and guests of the ancient city in the exhibition pavilion. An important event for the clergy and believers will be the opening of the XII Republican Holy Euphrosyne Readings, dedicated to the Word, in Polotsk on November 14. The two-day event will be held in Polotsk. On the same day, Polotsk residents and city guests will enjoy a performance by the male vocal ensemble "Blagovest" (Minsk), a laureate of international competitions, at the Saint Sophia Cathedral. A celebratory evening dedicated to the 1020th anniversary of the Polotsk Diocese will be held at the Palace of Culture of Polotsk-Steklovolokno OJSC on November 16. Its concert program will feature the best creative groups from Polotsk, Novopolotsk, Braslav, Verkhnedvinsk, Glubokoye, Dokshitsy, Miory, Postavy, Rossony, Ushachi, and Sharkovshchina. The anniversary celebrations of the Polotsk Diocese will conclude on November 18 with a Thanksgiving Moleben and the closing of the "Joy of the Word" exhibition-fair. The Polotsk Diocese dates back to 992, when the first episcopal see was established here, on the land of Polotsk, just four years after the Baptism of Rus'. Several decades later, during the reign of Prince Vseslav Bryachislavich, the majestic Cathedral of Saint Sophia "with seven domes" was erected on the high hill of the Polotsk Detinets, symbolizing the spiritual power and political independence of the young principality. -0-

BELTA