November 2011 Religion and denominations in the Republic of Belarus Multi-confessional structure of the Belarusian society has been forming over more than a thousand year history of the nation; it became an important factor that had a great influence on the formation of culture, mentality and state traditions of the present-day Belarus. The experience of our state, where more than 25 different denominations and religious movements organically coexist, is unique. The Orthodox Church has been of great 58.9 per cent of Belarusians consider importance on the Belarusian lands themselves believers. 82 per cent of since the adoption of Christianity in them are Orthodox, 12 per cent are the 10th century and today still attracts Roman Catholic and 6 per cent are a significant number of representatives of other believers. Four 58,9 % denominations. centuries later the of Belarusians are Catholic Church believers. 82 % of them are In the 16th came to the orthodox, 12 % are catholics, century the Grand Duchy E u r o p e a n of Lithuania that 6% represent other Reformation was created on the denominations resulted in the basis of the Belarusian arrival of Protestant territory. Since that time Catholicism movements, among which Lutheran made a great contribution to the and Calvinist ideas became widespread culture of Belarus and its history. on the territory of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania. Even earlier, at the end of Protestant religious organizations the 14th -15th centuries, Muslims and are represented by 1005 religious Jews settled in Belarus. A large number communities, 21 associations, of religious denominations appeared 22 missions and 5 religious during the 20th century. schools of 14 religious movements. The Christians of Evangelical Faith The importance of religion in Belarus (the Pentecostals) (595 communities), has considerably increased over the Evangelical Christian Baptists the last two decades. According (275 communities), the Seventh- to the latest socialogical studies, day Adventists (72 communities) are about a half of Belarusians consider the largest. Lutheranism, currently themselves believers. 82 per cent represented by 27 communities, is of them are Orthodox, 12 per cent traditionally present on the Belarusian are Roman Catholic and 6 per territory. cent are representatives of other denominations. 32 religious communities of Old Believers are registered in the Republic The leading position in the religious of Belarus; there are 27 religious life of the country is held by the buildings at their disposal. Belarusian Orthodox Church, which combines 1545 parishes, 11 dioceses, Judaism is represented by 5 religious schools, 32 monasteries, 52 communities representing three 14 brotherhoods, 10 sisterhoods. 1334 movements (Orthodox, Hesed- 2 Orthodox churches are functioning, Lubavitch, Progressive). 3 religious 150 are being built. 1577 clerics work associations are in parishes. Freedom of religion is registered. There In 2003 the guaranteed by the Article 31 are 7 religious Republic of buildings at the Belarus and of the Constitution disposal of the the Belarusian of the Republic of Belarus communities, Orthodox 4 buildings are Church signed an agreement on being reconstructed. cooperation. Its implementation became a unique experience in multi- Islam is represented by 25 communities, vector joint work of the state and the including 24 of Sunni movement and church for the benefit of society. 1 of Shiite movement. Two religious associations are registered. 5 religious TheRoman Catholic Church in Belarus buildings are functioning and one combines four dioceses, which have mosque is being built in Minsk. 475 communities. There are 3 religious schools, 9 missions of the Roman In addition, parishes of the Greek Catholic Church. The communities Catholic Church, the Armenian have 464 Catholic churches, Apostolic Church and communities of 26 churches are being built. 418 clerics Hare Krishna and Baha’i are registered work in the parishes. in Belarus. Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Belarus Religion and Denominations in the Republic of Belarus In total, as at January 1, 2011, 3321 regulated by the law with regard religious organizations are registered to their influence on formation of in Belarus. spiritual, cultural and state traditions of the Belarusian people. Legislative Base All religious organizations are supported by the State, including by The legal framework created in the providing special tax incentives. Republic of Belarus gives the religious organizations the opportunity to According to the current legislation, adequately operate and develop. The the plots given to religious state does not interfere in the internal organizations for religious buildings issues of confessions. Control over the are exempted from the tax on land. activities of religious organizations is Religious buildings, which are owned limited to ensuring their compliance or are in the possession of religious with the national legislation. organizations, are exempted from the real estate tax. The rights to freedom of conscience and religion are regulated by the Policy of the State basic law of the Republic of Belarus - the Constitution, and by the law State policy of the Republic of Belarus “On Freedom of Faith and Religious in confessional sphere is aimed at Organizations”. According to the preservation of inter-confessional 3 current legislation: peace and harmony, maintenance of • Religions and confessions shall be the traditions of religious tolerance equal before the law. and mutual respect, suppression of any manifestations of racism, • Everyone shall have the right to discrimination on the grounds of determine independently his/her religion or nationality, xenophobia attitude to religion, to exercise any and intolerance associated with it, religion alone or together with others, development of cooperation with or not to exercise any religion at all, to historically traditional confessions in express and spread beliefs connected directions that are important for social with his/her attitude towards religion, development. to participate in worship, religious rituals and rites, which are not The Head of the State pays particular prohibited by the law. attention to the activities of religious organizations, advancement of inter- • The State shall regulate relations confessional dialogue, strengthening among the diverse communities on the the traditions of religious tolerance basis of equality before the law, respect and mutual respect in the society. The of their rights and interests. President participates in solemn events dedicated to Easter and Christmas • Relations between the State and celebrations. Every year Alexander religious organizations shall be Lukashenko meets with the members of the Synod of the Belarusian in civil society in the context of global Orthodox Church. Similar meetings economic crisis” (November 2009) of the first person in the country are served this purpose. The President also held every year with the leaders of of the Republic of Belarus Alexander Minsk and Mogilev archdiocese of the Lukashenko met personally with the Roman Catholic Church. leaders of the confessions and foreign guests of the international forums that In September 2009, the President of took place in Minsk. the Republic of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko received the Patriarch of The meetings of the Deputy Prime Moscow and All Russia Kirill, who was Minister of the Republic of Belarus visiting Belarus. with the leaders of republican religious associations are an important element On April 27, 2009, Alexander in dealing with the issues of religious Lukashenko paid an official visit to the organizations. Such meetings took Vatican, where he had the audience place in 2007 and in 2010. During with the Pope of Rome Benedict XVI the last meeting the sides noted high and the Cardinal Secretary of State efficiency of joint efforts of the church Tarcisio Bertone. The head of the and the state in dealing with the issues Holy See was invited to visit Belarus. of spiritual and moral education of the One year later, Cardinal Jozef Tomko, individual and the society. the special representative of the Pope, 4 visited our country on the occasion of Educating Individual and Society the 300th anniversary of the Roman Catholic Cathedral in Minsk and was Interfaith Advisory Council was also received by the Head of the State. created in Belarus in 2008 under the Commissioner for the Affairs of Visits paid by the hierarchs of the Religions and Nationalities, which is Roman Catholic Church are a kind composed of the leaders of republican of recognition by the Vatican of the religious associations registered in religious policy being pursued in our Belarus. country. Currently, the Vatican and Belarus are completing their work Public Council on Morality works on the draft of the Agreement on under the auspices of the Belarusian Cooperation. Exarchate, and is composed of representatives of historically Representatives of various confessions traditional for Belarus confessions, have the possibility to make their faith scientists and artists. The 5th East Slavic closer and clearer for the followers International Symposium of the New of other denominations in Belarus. Testament researchers was organized International forums “The Dialogue of in Minsk with the support of the Christianity and Islam in the Context state authorities. Clerics of Orthodox, of Globalization” (October 2007) and Catholic, Protestant denominations “Christian-Judaic dialogue: religious from