Visit to the Valaam Monastery of the Transfiguration of the Savior
- 29
Aleksandr Lukashenko and President of Russia Vladimir Putin visited the Valaam Monastery of the Transfiguration of the Savior on the island of Valaam, Lake Ladoga, in the Republic of Karelia, Russia on 17 July.
The heads of state toured the monastery’s grounds and visited the main temple of the monastery. There they approached the relics of Sergius and Herman, the founders of the Valaam Monastery, the relics of Antipas of Valaam, and the icon of the Mother of God of Valaam. Near the icon the presidents and the Belarus President’s son Nikolai Lukashenko lit candles.
Clergymen
welcomed the presidents upon arrival in the monastery. While talking to
them Aleksandr Lukashenko noted: “The first thing I told him [Vladimir
Putin] was I am glad I will come here for the first time together with
my friend.”
After
that the heads of state examined the All Saints hermitage, the church
of the Smolensk Icon of the Mother of God in the Smolensk hermitage, and
visited the chapel consecrated in honor of the family of Tsar Nicholas
II. The heads of state also visited Svetly Island. After that they went
to see the Saint Vladimir hermitage where the Vladimir church is
located. They were made familiar with the exposition of the monastery’s
museum.
Today
the heads of state met in an informal setting. The central event of the
6th Forum of Regions of Belarus and Russia will take place in St
Petersburg on 18 July and the presidents will take part in it. Apart
from that, time for bilateral talks between the heads of state has been
scheduled. They are expected to discuss the advancement of
Belarus-Russia trade and economic cooperation. Interaction within the
framework of the Union State of Belarus and Russia will also be
discussed.