Vladimir Rozanskij

About a hundred protesters took refuge in the religious building. For Archbishop Kondrusiewicz, the police action is “inadequate and contradictory” and constitutes an attack against religious freedom. It cannot lead to reconciliation.

Metropolitan Pavel is replaced by Venjamin. In recent weeks, Pavel had first congratulated Lukashenko, then corrected himself, then supported the Catholics requests of the government. The Orthodox Church has prohibited the faithful from participating in public demonstrations and meddling in politics. Kirill fears a conclusion similar to the Ukrainian one.

The Metropolitan of Minsk asked for clarification on missing people and that priests can meet with prisoners. “We are not here to judge, but to call all those who commit crimes to conversion”. President Lukashenko: "My dear priests, moderate yourselves and mind your own business". Catholic and Orthodox priests lead peaceful demonstrations. Lukashenko is no longer the "the people’s president".

Great Russia and White Russia seem to be on the common path of rejecting the "eternal leaders" Putin and Lukashenko. The Archbishop of Minsk was banned from entering the prisons, where he wanted to comfort those arrested in recent weeks. The prelate has asked for the release of all those arrested. Naval'nyj was poisoned with a tea drunk at Tomsk airport (Siberia). The Russian democratic movement supports the demonstrations in Minsk.

Videos posted online and analyzed by the Conflict Intelligence group confirm troop movement. Lukashenko (and Putin) cite the "threats" of Lithuania and NATO. Protests and strikes across the country. In Minsk, the president is silenced by the slogans “Leave! Get out!". In Russia, too, there are supporters of the protests in Belarus.

Anticipating Pope Francis’ appeal, hundreds of Catholics, Orthodox and Protestants demonstrated against violence and for peace. Yesterday’s massive demonstration to ask for new elections (some estimates speak of 200 thousand people). Lukashenko challenges opponents by rallying tens of thousands of his supporters. Meanwhile, the workers go on strike and parents and women demonstrate. At least two police victims.

The Catholic bishops are calling for an end to the violence and negotiations between the government and the opposition. Kirill says Lukashenko's victory "exalts attention to the spiritual and moral issues of people's lives". For some Orthodox priests, their bishops’ applause is a "humiliation of human dignity". Demonstrations and clashes continue.

The Belarusian authorities allegedly forced her to leave as a condition to free some of her staff members from prison. According to the KGB, she suffered threats and an attempted attack, in search of a "sacrificial victim". Lukashenko blessed by Patriarch Kirill. But Orthodox and Catholic priests are together with the demonstrators. Risk of another Majdan.

Official figures declare victory for the leader - already in office for 26 years - with 80% of the votes. The opposition, led by Svetlana Tikhanovskaja, claims 70% of the votes. Clashes in the capital and in other areas of the country. One dead, at least 90 injured: 50 among the population; 40 among the policemen.

He introduced the treasures of Orthodox spirituality to the West. He worked extensively with Pavel Evdokimov and Olivier Clément, and was a great ecumenical figure who studied with the Jesuits, taught Protestants and Catholics, and backed Russia’s religious revival during and after the atheist regime. He recognised the "Babylonian captivity" of the Russian Church (excessive dependence on state power) and the need to let oneself be carried away by the "shocking breath of the Spirit".

The slogans "Russia, wake up!" and, in Belarus, "We are tired!", are signs that the neo-Soviet phase in Russian and Belarusian politics is running out of steam. In Minsk, 60,000 people protested in favour of Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya against Lukashenko’s 26 years in power. In Russia, support for Putin has dropped to 23 per cent. Still, the age of "eternal leaders” might be at an end, censorship and arrests continue.

The 47-year-old Conventual Franciscan belongs to the first cohort of students who entered the major seminary after it reopened in 1993. His appointment is a sign of the spiritual and social renaissance of the small Catholic community of the Russian Federation.