Tadevush Kandrusevich: BNR's 100th Anniversary Is Annunciation Of Belarusian Independence

There will be held a prayer for Belarus in the Minsk diocese on March 25.

The mass headed by Metropolitan of Minsk and Mahiliou Archbishop Tadevush Kandrusevich will be held in the Minsk Blessed Virgin Mary’s archcathedral at 10.00, catholic.by writes.

"It is very symbolic that the act of independence of the Belarusian People's Republic, when the establishment of a new state was announced, was signed on the holiday of the Annunciation – on March 25," –the archbishop notes.

The Feast of the Annunciation reminds about the moment when archangel Gabriel announced to Mary that God had chosen her as the Mother of the Savior. According to the hierarch, one Mary’s word –fiat ("so be it") – changed the history of the world, having become the beginning of the salvation time.

"The holiday of the 100th anniversary of the formation of the Belarusian People's Republic is a holiday of the Belarusian annunciation of independence," – the hierarch stresses.

Metropolitan Tadevush Kandrusevich adds that although the future fate of the BPR did not lead to the expected result, nevertheless "the very fact of its proclamation on March 25 is very eloquent, as it attests the Belarusian people’ commitment to independence."

This year, on March 25, the Catholic Church celebrates Palm Sunday, so the feast of the Annunciation is moved to April 9.