For 23 years, Metropolitan of Minsk and Slutsk Philaret led the Belarusian Orthodox Church. Over the years of his pastoral work, Metropolitan revived diocesan life in Belarus, openly opposed the death penalty, and helped to overcome the consequences of the Chernobyl nuclear disaster.
The idea of the establishment of EHU was born at the meeting between Metropolitan Philaret and Prof. Anatoli Mikhailov, held at the Metropolitan’s residence in the end of 1991. On October 1, 1993, EHU’s Department of Theology was opened in Minsk, and Metropolitan Philaret became its Dean. On the initiative of Metropolitan Philaret, the Department has become a platform for ecumenical dialogue. Thanks to Metropolitan, EHU was visited by Patriarch Alexy II of Moscow, Secretary General of the World Council of Churches Konrad Raiser, and President of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity Cardinal Walter Kasper.
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- Metropolitan Philaret at the Minsk-based EHU
In 2004-2014, Metropolitan led the Institute of Theology named after Sts. Methodius and Cyril, placed under the auspices of the Belarusian State University. In 2006, Metropolitan Philaret was awarded the Hero of Belarus for his many years of personal contribution to the spiritual revival of the Belarusian nation. In 2013, the Holy Synod appointed Metropolitan Philaret Honorary Patriarchal Exarch of all Belarus.
Metropolitan Philaret passed away at the age of 85. The community of EHU mourns the irreparable loss for Belarus and all Christians.