On November 14, Vitebsk / Olga Bogacheva - BELTA /. Respect for freedom of religion ensures stability in Belarusian society. This opinion was expressed today at a meeting with Archimandrite Ephrem, Abbot of Vatopedi Monastery of Mount Athos, by Alexander Kosinets, Chairman of the Vitebsk Regional Executive Committee, as reported by a BELTA correspondent. The visit of representatives of the Greek monastery to the Vitebsk region began on November 13 with a divine liturgy and the exposition of the miraculous icon of the Most Holy Theotokos "Joy" or "Consolation" in the Holy Assumption Cathedral of the city. Today, Archimandrite Ephrem visited the Vitebsk Theological Seminary and met with the faculty and students of the Vitebsk State Pedagogical University named after P.M. Masherov. These meetings left him with the most pleasant impressions. "I liked the love and thirst of people to learn more about God. You have a great and inexhaustible wealth - the Orthodox faith, which will help overcome difficulties and stand firm in difficult times," emphasized Archimandrite Ephrem. In turn, Alexander Kosinets, Chairman of the Vitebsk Regional Executive Committee, noted that the state provides significant support to the Belarusian Orthodox Church, as it is the dominant religion in Belarus. In particular, in the region, over 80% of the religious population are Orthodox residents. Of the 533 active religious communities, 272 are Orthodox. There are 209 Orthodox churches in the region, 60 of which are architectural monuments. Another 17 churches are under construction. "At the same time, Belarus's interfaith policy is based on ensuring equality for all religions, regardless of nationality. Thanks to this respectful attitude, stability and peace are maintained in our society," emphasized Alexander Kosinets. The miraculous icon of the Most Holy Theotokos "Joy" or "Consolation" was in Vitebsk for less than a day. During this time, tens of thousands of people came to venerate it. Today, in the afternoon, the shrine will depart for Polotsk, where it will also be exhibited for a day in the Cathedral of the Exaltation of the Cross of the Holy Euphrosyne Monastery.