The solemn opening and consecration of the Church of the Transfiguration of the Lord took place in the urban settlement of Kopys, Orsha District, as reported by a BELTA correspondent.
The solemn opening and consecration of the Church of the Transfiguration of the Lord took place in the urban settlement of Kopys, Orsha District, as reported by a BELTA correspondent.
The opening of the Church of the Transfiguration of the Lord was attended by the President's Aide - Inspector for Vitebsk Region Vitaly Vovk, Chairman of the Vitebsk Regional Council of Deputies Vladimir Terentyev, and Deputy Chairman of the Vitebsk Regional Executive Committee Vladimir Penin.
After Metropolitan Pavel of Minsk and Zaslavl, Patriarchal Exarch of All Belarus, consecrated the church, a festive divine liturgy was held there. His Eminence delivered a sermon to the parishioners and congratulated everyone on the appearance of the new church. The Metropolitan noted the importance of the church for believers, as it is a place where they meet God, and wished for no aggression or hatred among people.
"Today is a celebration not only for the Vitebsk Diocese and the settlement of Kopys, but for the entire Orthodox world. After all, there is one more source of living water that will abundantly bestow gifts. I wish that everyone who enters this temple feels the grace of the Holy Spirit. I wish everyone to live their lives in a way that inspires good deeds," said Metropolitan Pavel of Minsk and Zaslavl.
He thanked the builders, sponsors, and everyone involved in the construction of the church for their work.
The church in Kopys was built on the site of the old temple with sponsorship in less than a year. Externally, the new church resembles the previous one. According to chronicles, an Orthodox church existed in the settlement from the mid-17th century.