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Minsk, Jan. 11, 2008 (Forum 18/CWNews.com) - "Just like in any other country," a local official in Belarus told the Forum 18 news service, "all religious organizations must be registered in order to have the right to function."

In defiance of international human rights standards, Belarus is the only country in Europe requiring religious organizations to gain state registration before they engage in religious activity.?? Unregistered religious activity is prohibited by the restrictive 2002 Religion Law, while leadership of an unregistered religious organization is an offence under the country's Administrative Violations Code.

The religious-affairs official in the western city of Grodno -- who declined to identify himself-- defended the imposition of a fine upon a Baptist minister who had organized a local festival, explaining that the congregation was not properly registered. Asked why registration was needed, he remarked that this was not a question for him. "I don't write the laws, I just implement them," he explained to Forum 18.

[For a more detailed report see the Forum 18 web site.]

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04 December 2022

Joachim and Anna Rejoice

Today the bonds of childlessness are loosed, * for God has heard Joachim and Anna * and He promises manifestly that they, against all hope, would give birth to the Maiden of God * from whom the Uncircumscribed One Himself would be born, becoming man, * and he commanded the Angels to cry out to her: * “Rejoice, O Full of Grace, the Lord is with you!” (Troparion - Tone 4)

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.

Today the whole world celebrates * the conception of Anne which was brought about by God, * for she gave birth to the one who, beyond understanding, * gave birth to the Word. (Kontakion - Tone 4)

Saint Nicholas of Myra

The truth of your deeds has revealed you to your flock, * as a rule of faith, an image of meekness, and a teacher of abstinence. * Therefore, you attained the heights through humility, * and riches through poverty. * O Father and Hierarch Nicholas, * pray to Christ God that our souls may be saved. (Troparion, Tone 4)

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.

In Myra, You were shown to be a servant of the sacred things, O Holy Nicholas, * for, fulfilling the Gospel of Christ, you, O Venerable, laid down your life for your people, * and saved the innocent from death. * Therefore, you were sanctified as a great initiate of the grace of God. (Kontakion, Tone 3)