Archbishop Sviataslau Lohin: May Belarus Receive a New Leader Instead of Herod in the New Year

The head of the BAOC addressed the Belarusians.

In his Christmas message, the head of the Belarusian Autocephalous Orthodox Church, Archbishop Sviataslau Lohin, responded to current events in Belarus.

"In times of persecution of our faith," says the Epistle, "Christians were tortured in public so that others would be afraid to accept the true faith, which makes a person free from the power of sin over him. The current government in our homeland acts similarly. But Christianity withstood severe suffering, as it brought unprecedented love between people into the world, which is the foundation of the current moral and state laws in free developed countries.

Before us, as well as before the contemporaries of the Nativity of Christ, there is a choice - we accept Christ in our hearts or reject him, and then, accordingly, we fight against evil or submit to evil. This choice is the greatest responsibility in our life.

We sometimes hear from priests about the need for reconciliation in a society of repentance, but first of all, it is necessary for the authorities, which openly violate the laws of God and the state. The church today should not only pray for the health of prisoners and funeral services for murdered peaceful compatriots but also express its vision of modern events in Belarus according to Christ's teaching, which proclaims ..."

At the end of his address to the believers, Archbishop Lohin writes:

"I wish everyone that, in the new year, Belarus will receive a real pious state master who would serve his people, guided by God's covenants, instead of Herod, who inspires fear and anger, so that carollers come to every Belarusian home here and abroad, congratulating everyone - Christ was born! Praise him!"