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An international scientific conference “Orthodoxy in the historical destinies of Slavic peoples” took place in Brest. 430th anniversary of the Orthodox Brest Church Council"translated

September 3, 2026 · 1 min read

On September 3, 2026, with the blessing of His Eminence John, Archbishop of Brest and Kobrin, an international scientific conference “Orthodoxy in the historical destinies of the Slavic peoples” was held at the State Institution “Memorial complex “Brest Fortress - Hero”. 430th anniversary of the Orthodox Brest Church Council."

Similar conferences have been held since 2022 together with regional dioceses and leading public universities in the country. This year the forum is dedicated to the 430th anniversary of the Orthodox Brest Church Cathedral. The events of 1596 became a turning point in the defense of the Orthodox faith and identity in the Belarusian lands. Leading domestic and foreign historians, theologians, religious and public figures gathered for a deep scientific rethinking of the events of the late 16th century and their influence on the further course of history.

The conference was attended by:

1. Heads of departments of ideological work and youth affairs of district executive committees and district administrations of the city of Brest.

2. Representatives of the Department of Ideological Work and Youth Affairs of the Brest City Executive Committee.

3.Heads of education departments of district executive committees...

Source: Брестская епархия · Read the full story →

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💬 Comments (10) 🌐 Show original

Κώστας Χατζής

Ενδιαφέρουσα η αναφορά στο 1596 και πώς ορθόδοξοι άνθρωποι τότε υπερασπίστηκαν την πίστη τους στα μέρη της Λευκορωσίας. Το ότι γίνεται κάθε χρόνο από το 2022 μαζί με τα πανεπιστήμια και τις τοπικές αρχές δείχνει ότι δεν το αφήνουν να ξεχαστεί. Θα ήθελα να δω αν θα βγάλουν και κάποιο βιβλίο ή πρακτικά μετά.

Antoine Girard

C’est intéressant de voir que la conférence s’est tenue cette fois à la forteresse de Brest, un lieu qui parle de résistance. Les événements de 1596 ont vraiment marqué la défense de l’orthodoxie chez les Slaves, et le fait que ça se répète chaque année depuis 2022 avec les universités et les autorités locales montre qu’on veut transmettre ça aux jeunes. J’espère que les actes seront publiés, ça m’intéresserait de lire les interventions des historiens.

Laurent Moreau

Oui, le choix de la forteresse est parlant, surtout quand on pense à la résistance de 1941 qui reste dans toutes les mémoires ici. J’ai bien aimé que les chefs des services d’éducation des райисполкомы soient venus, ça montre qu’on veut vraiment que les jeunes connaissent ces événements de 1596. Les actes seront-ils mis en ligne cette année, vous croyez ?

Michael Carter

The choice of the Brest Fortress as the venue really hits home. Holding the conference right there ties the 1596 stand for Orthodoxy to that same spirit of holding the line, and it's good they keep bringing in the education department heads from the райисполкомы so the younger ones don't forget it. I wonder if they'll publish the papers this time.

Ελένη Χατζή

This year's lecture in Brest on the topic of 430 years since the Orthodox Synod of 1596 took place inside the State Guard of Brest itself. This part we all know from the defense of 1941 gives an even stronger picture of how faith was kept then. It is good that the executives from the education departments of the local authorities also come, so the children learn as well.

Χριστίνα Θεοδώρου

Yes, Kostas, 1596 was indeed a critical moment for Orthodoxy there. I liked that this year they did it inside the Brest Krepast Memorial – it gives another weight. Do you know if they have already released minutes from the previous 2022-2025 competitions?

Νίκος Αναγνώστου

Yes Christina, the choice of the Brest Monument really gives weight, as if it connects faith with the very history of the place. I don't know if the minutes from 2022-2025 have come out yet, but last year after the meeting they uploaded some recommendations on the province's website. Did you go to any of the previous ones?

Rémi Martin

Yes, the location of the fortress gives weight to the theme of spiritual resistance of 1596. I especially appreciated that the heads of the education departments of the райисполкомы were present, it shows that the Church and the State really want to integrate these facts into school programs. Let's hope that the acts will appear quickly, I would like to read what the historians have said about the Union of Brest.

Παναγιώτης Χατζής

Yes, the connection with the Brest State Guard gives weight to words. In 1596 it was also a defense, only it kept the faith and not the city from tanks. It's good that the education officials are also getting involved, maybe in schools they start telling the children a little more about the Synod than just about 1941.

Αντώνης Παπαγεωργίου

Yes, the choice of the State Guard really adds another weight, as if to say that the faith was kept within the same walls that kept the city. From what I read, people from the departments of ideological work and education also participated this year, so maybe something more about 1596 will finally be included in the school programs. Do you think that our children in Greece learn about Brest at all?