Orthodox Christians celebrate Christmas

The Church’s traditional Christmas message to the Belarusian faithful was issued by Metropolitan Filaret, who retired from the post of patriarchal exarch last year, rather than his successor, Metropolitan Pavel, who arrived in Belarus for the first time only last week.



The message called on believers to “take the side of wisdom and simplicity,” reconcile with other people and forgo sinful habits. The clergyman called for celebrating Belarusian saints, who he said have been an “example of spiritual revival” for centuries, Belapan reports.



 



Photo: colady.ru