On December 1, 2023, the international scientific and practical conference “Youth. Spirituality. Fatherland: Orthodoxy and Culture,” organized as part of the diocesan stage of the XXXII International Christmas Educational Readings.
The event began with a performance by the national academic choir “Belaya Vezha” of BrSTU with the composition “Christmas Etudes”. Vice-Rector for Educational Work of BrSTU Natalya Petrovna Yalovaya read out a welcoming address from the Rector of the university Sergei Antonovich Kasperovich, which focused on the importance of forming spiritual and moral values in the younger generation, nurturing a sense of citizen and patriot of their Fatherland. “Today the primary task of the family, the education system, and the church is to raise a worthy generation of citizens and patriots of their Fatherland, responsible for its destiny. The purpose of our conference is to draw attention to the global challenges of our time that influence a person’s spiritual choice; to the role of the Church in the state and public life of Belarus,” the address noted.
The plenary session “Orthodoxy and domestic culture: losses and gains of the past, image of the future” was opened by His Eminence John, Archbishop of Brest and Kobrin. The Bishop delivered a welcoming speech and delivered a report: “Christian culture as the foundation of a worldview.” His Eminence pointed out the transience of earthly life and the need to make the right choice. He also warned young people against the traps hidden behind imaginary freedom on the Internet.
During the breakout sessions, the participants reviewed and discussed the problems and prospects for the spiritual and moral education of youth, the values that influence the formation of personality today, the positive experience of interaction between the Belarusian Orthodox Church and educational institutions, the significance of Orthodox spiritual values in the culture of Belarus and many other topical issues. The conference provided an opportunity for each participant to comprehend the acquired experience in order to further direct their efforts towards joint work towards achieving a common goal: the formation of a developing personality on the foundation of spirituality, morality and patriotism — values traditional for the Belarusian people.
