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His Holiness Patriarch Kirill elevates Bishop Veniamin, newly elected Patriarchal Exarch of All Belarus, to the rank of metropolitan
On 6th September 2020, 13th Sunday after Pentecost, His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia celebrated the Divine Liturgy at the Cathedral of Christ the Saviour in Moscow. Participating in the divine service was a delegation of hierarchs, clergymen, monastics and laypeople of the Belarusian Orthodox Church.
In compliance with the resolution of the Holy Synod of the Russian Orthodox Church of 25th August 2020 (Minutes No. 46), during the Little Entrance His Holiness Patriarch Kirill performed the rite of elevation of His Grace Veniamin, the newly elected Metropolitan of Minsk and Zaslavl, Patriarchal Exarch of All Belarus, to the rank of metropolitan.
The Primate of the Russian Orthodox Church read out the following decree:
“To His Grace Veniamin, Bishop of Minsk and Zaslavl, Patriarchal Exarch of All Belarus
“In view of your appointment as Patriarchal Exarch of All Belarus (resolution of the Holy Synod of the Russian Orthodox Church of 25th August 2020, Minutes No. 46), you are elevated to the rank of metropolitan and granted the right of wearing a second panagia in the territory of the Belarusian Orthodox Church.”
After the Liturgy Patriarch Kirill addressed Metropolitan Veniamin, saying in particular:
“I am glad that the lot of being elected to the See of Metropolitans of Minsk has fallen on you. And I am glad that you were unanimously elected at a session of the Holy Synod of the Russian Orthodox Church, that there was nobody who would say, ‘Let us wait,’ ‘Let us think, maybe there is someone else who will also be up to this.”
“The unanimity of the Holy Synod is a sign of great trust in you, and this trust is based not just on personal sympathies. This trust is based on what we know about your life, your work, your views on the present-day church problems. Yet, the main thing is that we know about your sincere and earnest vocation to be a clergyman, and we hope that at this difficult time, for the White Rus’ as well, you will have wisdom and spiritual strength to lead your people so that all kinds of divisions which can be irrevocably harmful to their spiritual and national life may be avoided and so that peace, as well as justice may triumph in the Belarusian society.
“May the Lord help you wisely perform you service for the sake of salvation and bear in mind the archpastors who are now under your guidance, as well as the clergy and all the pious Belarusian people. I would like to present you with these symbols of your ministry, a cross and two panagias, which you have the right to wear in the territory of the Belarusian Church in remembrance to what, by the mercy of God, has occurred in your life today. And may the Lord Himself show you the path and support you, and may the Most Holy Theotokos preserve you under her most holy veil. Amen. Eis Polla Eti Despota!”
Press Service of the Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia//
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06.11.2020