26 June 2001
Lukashenko plays host to Patriarch Aleksy II in Brest
On June 24, the head of the Russian Orthodox Church consecrated the Holy Resurrection Church built in Brest at the Belarusian government's expense in honor of the Soviet victory over the Nazis. "This church is a worthy monument to the feat of Great Victory," Aleksy II said after the
ceremony.
Mr. Lukashenko, who accompanied the patriarch, praised the church as "the most magnificent of all churches built over the years since you entrusted me with governing this country," as "the greatest gift from our government to our people." "Let this church be a symbol of unity between the peoples of Russia and Belarus, as well as among all the
peoples of what was once a great power," he said. On the same day, Aleksy II consecrated the St. Nicholas Church at the Brest Fortress, the Red Army's stronghold against the Nazis in June 1941. The 19th century cathedral did not survive the siege. Its ruins are now part of a
memorial that opened at the fortress in the early 70s. It was not until 1994 that the cathedral was handed over to the Orthodox Church.
"This church is unique. It deserves better. It must be rebuilt as soon as possible," Mr. Lukashenko said after the ceremony. He promised that "whatever lies ahead" for him he would accompany Aleksy II on the patriarch's first visit to the cathedral after its reconstruction. It remained unclear if he meant that the Belarusian government would pay for
the cathedral to be restored.
http://brestonline.com/en/news/news18.html