The State and the Church should intensify their joint work aimed at solving the problems that trouble the Belarusian society, at preserving moral values and popularising a healthy lifestyle, said President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko at today’s meeting with members of the Synod of the Belarusian Orthodox Church.

Such meetings with clergymen have become a good tradition; they are a frank discussion focused on concrete matters.

Before the beginning of the meeting the President and the Metropolitan of Minsk and Slutsk, Filaret, exchanged their opinions on a range of urgent issues relating to the collaboration between the State and the Church. Filaret informed the Head of State on the meeting that had taken place on the previous day between members of the Synod and representatives of the secular authorities, namely those representing the Council of Ministers and the Presidential Administration.

During today’s meeting Alexander Lukashenko lauded the high level of cooperation between the State and the Belarusian Orthodox Church. “Last year was one of the most fruitful periods of our interaction in various spheres of life of the society,” he said.

The State supported many initiatives of the Belarusian Orthodox Church; helped restore the great national relic, the shrine of St. Euphrosyne of Polotsk; provided assistance in building new temples, reconstructing and renovating the temples of national significance as well as supported spiritual education projects.

The State helps the Belarusian Orthodox Church in personnel training; local authorities are always there to accommodate requests for assistance.

Alexander Lukashenko praised the great work the Belarusian Orthodox Church has been doing to promote civil consent and good dialogue between various denominations.

On the whole, according to him, the State has created a good environment for normal work of all denominations that act in conformity with the law and do good to the society.

“Religious organisations are exempt from the land tax and property tax. They enjoy lower tariffs on gas, and the Orthodox Church enjoys lower tariffs also on heating and electric energy,” the President said.