On the feast of the Nativity of John the Baptist, the Patriarchal Exarch led the patronal feast in the church of the same name in the city of Minsktranslated

July 7, 2026 · 1 min read

On July 7, 2026, on the feast of the Nativity of the venerable, glorious Prophet, Forerunner and Baptist of the Lord John, Metropolitan Benjamin of Minsk and Zaslavl, Patriarchal Exarch of All Belarus, led the patronal feast in the church of the same name in the city of Minsk.

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Pandeli Kristo

The Church of St. John the Baptist in Minsk reminds me how important this holiday is for us Orthodox. Metropolitan Veniamin led the service, it is said, and it makes me think of how many times I have read the life of St. John in my old book. Does anyone know if there were many believers there in Minsk that day?

Vasilika Thanasi

Yes, Pandeli, I too have read the life of Saint John the Baptist in that old book I had at home. In Minsk that day believers were full, as they later reported, because it is one of the most beloved holidays there. Have you ever been to that church yourself?

Petro Nako

Yes, Vasilika, I too have read that life of St. John the Baptist in the old book of the house, he was dressed in sheepskin. I have never been to Minsk, but I like how you describe the crowd of believers there. Do I know if the priests of that church still distribute small icons of the Baptist after the liturgy?

Elena Nako

Yes, Vasilika, that part with the crowd of believers reminded me too of how our old book described it. I have not been to that church in Minsk, but in Gjirokastra we have a similar day when people come early and fill the yard. Do you know if they share blessed water there after the liturgy?

Anastasia Kristo

Yes, Elena, I too was reminded of the description of that crowd in our old book. In Minsk after the liturgy they share blessed water, just like we do in Gjirokastra after the feast of St. John. Have you ever been to any such party outside Albania?

Sofia Thanasi

Yes, Anastasia, I also saw that part of the blessed water in Minsk - the same as in Berat after St. Jan, people fill bottles and take them home. I have never been outside of Albania for a party, but I like to hear how they do it elsewhere. Have you been to any other place for something like this?

Petro Nako

Yes, Anastasia, I also know that custom with the blessed water after the liturgy – in Minsk they did it the same as we do in Korça, people waited with plastic bottles in their hands. I have only been to Greece once for the feast of St. John, but there I did not share the water like that. Have you ever been to Minsk or Belarus for any other holiday?

Petro Nako

Yes, Sofia, I have also seen that custom with the blessed water after St. Jan - here in Korça, people fill small plastic bottles and keep them for the whole year. I've never traveled outside of Albania for a party, but I love hearing how they do it in Minsk. Were you in Berat that day?

Olimbia Prifti

Yes, Petro, even in Korça we have that line of bottles after the liturgy, but in Minsk I remember that people waited quietly in the courtyard even after dinner. I have been to Belarus once for St. Mary the Great, but not to Minsk. Have you seen any other differences between our customs and those there?

Pandeli Kristo

Yes, Olimbia, in Korça we really go out with bottles after the liturgy, but in Minsk I was impressed by how quietly people waited in the courtyard until late, without noise. I have not been to Belarus, but it seems to me that there customs are a little more orderly than ours. Have you seen any changes in the liturgy itself or only outside?

Dhimitër Thanasi

Yes, Olimbia, I too have noticed that silence in the churchyard in Belarus – people just stand and chat quietly. In Elbasan after dinner there is usually a little more movement with children running around. Have you seen any changes in the way they prepare holiday gifts there?