Christianity in Belarus

The Republic of Belarus is located in Eastern Europe. It is bordered by Russia to the East and Northeast, Ukraine to the South, Poland to the West, Lithuania and Latvia to the Northwest. The capital and largest city is Minsk, while the official languages are Belarusian and Russian. Belarus is a multi-ethnic nations comprising of Belarusians at 84.9% of the population; Russians, 7.5%. Poles, 3.1%, Ukrainians, 1.7% and others, 2.8%. Christian Orthodoxy is the main religion in the country. The religious composition by percentage is Eastern Orthodoxy, 48.3%, other Christian denomination, 7.1%, Atheism, 41.1%, others, 3.5%.

Modern History

 Until its independence in 1991, Belarus, formerly known as Belorussia or White Russia, was the smallest of the three Slavic republics included in the Soviet Union (the larger two being Russia and Ukraine). Since independence, the country has maintained strong ties with its most dominant neighbour, Russia. In 1999, both signed the Union State Foundation Treaty which aimed to create a politically integrated confederation with a common currency. The precise nature of the partnership, however, remained unclear well into the 21^st century. The legacy of Belarus’ Soviet past also continued to manifest itself, both in the persistent prominence of communist political parties and in the country’s authoritarian style of government.

God’s Canvass in Belarus

The country lies within two ecoregions: Sarmatic mixed forests and Central European mixed forests. Although Belarus is land-locked, it is dotted by many streams and 11,000 lakes, as well as three major rivers, namely, the Newman, Pripyat and Dnieper. The latter flows southward towards the Red Sea. The climate of the country features mild to cold winters. Natural resources include peat deposits, small quantities of oil and natural gas, granite, dolomite, marl, chalk, gravel and clay.

Fauna

Belarus has rich fauna, with about 27,100 animal species. The mammalian fauna includes herds of European Bison, wild boar, muskrat and Elk. The country is also home to 46 out of 63 known fish species. Some notable animals are presented below.

Flora

 About 40% of Belarus is covered by forests, with vegetation composed of both coniferous and deciduous species. These include pine-trees, spruce, birch, black almond, grey almond, asps and oaks. Some of them are shown in the pictures below.

Beaches

Culture

  The culture of Belarus is the product of long years of development under the impact of many factors. These include the physical environment, the merger of Slavic newcomers with Baltic natives and the paganism of the early settlers and their hosts. Eastern Orthodoxy is the link to Byzantine literacy and cultural traditions. However, the literature in the country focuses on rural life, while other aspects of culture such as painting, sculpture, music, film and theatre centre on urban reality, universal concerns and values.

Traditional Attire

 The country has a rich Slavic heritage. Its folk costumes are bright, beautiful and regal. Embroidery plays a great role in Belarusian attire. In the eastern territories, women wear a garment known as ‘saian’ instead of the usual combination of a skirt, apron and bodice. Some of the traditional attires are shown below.

Cuisine

Belarusian cuisine shares many similarities with that of other Eastern, Central and Northeastern European countries, based predominantly on meat and poultry, as well as various vegetables. Popular traditional dishes include pork stew (machanka), homemade sausages, tushanka, pancakes from grated potatoes (Draniki) and vereshchaka. Some notable dishes are presented below.

Status of Christianity in Belarus

Eastern Orthodoxy dominates the entire region, and this holds true for Belarus as well. Belarusians have a strong nostalgia for the defunct USSR, and this is reflected in the religious sector. Although more than half of the population consider themselves followers of Jesus Christ, this does not reflect in their conduct. With 41.1% confirmed atheists, the country is in dire need of the move of God to save perishing souls. Our duty as believers in Christ is to intercede for the nation and pray that the Father would pour out His Spirit on its people to lead them to genuine repentance.

Prayer Points

1. Pray that God would destroy the influence of communism in the country and create a longing in every heart for Him.
2. Ask the Father to destroy all faulty foundations laid in the lives of Belarusians and lay a new one for them in Christ.
3. Pray that He would judge all principalities and powers enabling atheism to thrive in the country.
4. Ask the Father to remove the veils of darkness from the hearts and minds of unsaved souls in the country.
5. Pray that believers in Christ would reject the doctrines of devils propagated by Ecumenists intend on reconciling all world religions.
6. Pray that the Father would sanctify all believers with His word and transform them from the inside out in the power of the Holy Spirit.
7. Pray that God would send labourers into His vineyard in Belarus.
8. Ask Him to open great doors for them to minister life to lost souls in the country.

Intercession Checklist

1. Select a town, region or city from the political map of Belarus provided in the text.
2. Present the chosen area or geographical space to the Father and tell Him that you are claiming it for Yeshua as His Ambassador in line with John 20:21, “….As My Father sent Me, so also I am sending you”.