On May 27-28, 2025, the international scientific conference "Polotsk Convent of the Saviour and St. Euphrosyne in the History and Culture of Belarus" was held in Polotsk. It brought together more than 70 researchers from the Republic of Belarus and the Russian Federation in Polotsk. The forum was timed to coincide with the 900th anniversary of the founding of the above-mentioned convent and the day of remembrance of Saint Euphrosyne, Abbess of Polotsk, enlightener and heavenly patroness of the Belarusian lands. The event was organized by Belarusian Orthodox Church, the NAS of Belarus, the Directorate of Humanities and Arts of the NAS of Belarus, the Institute of History of the NAS of Belarus, Polotsk State University named after Euphrosyne of Polotsk, and Minsk Theological Academy.
Speaking at the opening of the forum, the Chairman of the Presidium of the NAS of Belarus Vladimir Karanik emphasized: “The most important task of the conference is not only to analyze the past, but also to discuss the essential issues of the present: how can spiritual, cultural and religious traditions be updated in the digital age? How to integrate this heritage into modern educational and cultural policy? How to preserve national and cultural identity in the context of globalization and information pressure? Answers to these questions require the joint efforts of philosophers, historians, cultural scientists, clergy, teachers, and government officials." Addressing the participants of the event, the head of the Academy of Sciences emphasized: "Let today's event become a platform for a deep and fruitful discussion of these topics, and let joint work serve to strengthen the spiritual foundations of our society. I wish all participants successful work, fruitful discussions, and most importantly - a sense of involvement in a great common cause."
The reports of the scientists, presented at the plenary session, concerned the personality of Euphrosyne of Polotsk as the founder of the traditions of spiritual enlightenment in Belarusian lands, the formation and development of he Polotsk diocese, graffiti and accompanying inscriptions on the frescoes of Polotsk Church of the Transfiguration of the Savior. The monograph “The Paleographic Heritage of the Polotsk Church of the Transfiguration of the Savior: Accompanying Inscriptions on the Frescoes and the Question of Authorship” (Publishing House “Belarusian Science”, Belarusian Science, 2025) was also presented. The first day of the conference ended with a tour of the ancient Polotsk and Convent of the Saviour and St. Euphrosyne.
The forum continued on May 28 at Polotsk State University named after Euphrosyne of Polotsk. On that day, the thematic sections "The Role of Polotsk Convent of the Saviour and St. Euphrosyne and Saint Euphrosyne of Polotsk in the History and Culture of Belarus", "The Orthodox Church in Belarus from the End of the 18th Century to the Present", "The Importance of Traditional Spiritual Values in the Development of Science, Culture and Education" were held. .
The conference provided a comprehensive understanding of the significance of Polotsk Convent of the Saviour and St. Euphrosyne and Saint Euphrosyne of Polotsk in the context of the historical, religious and cultural development of Belarus and the East Slavic peoples and lands. The scientific forum has integrated current and potential researchers into the subject matter; created conditions for scientific communication and cooperation of researchers of various specializations (theologians, historians, archaeologists, linguists, philosophers, sociologists); contributed to the popularization of the achievements of historical science in studying the history of the Orthodox Church.
As part of the event, a ceremony of cancellation of the postal block “900th Anniversary of Polotsk Convent of the Saviour and St. Euphrosyne” was held at Polotsk State University named after Euphrosyne of Polotsk. The postage block is based on the painting “Euphrosyne of Polotsk” by artists Alexey Lipsky and Sergey Lagunovich-Cherepko. The special cancellation on “the First Day” envelope was performed by the Chairman of the Presidium of the NAS of Belarus Vladimir Karanik, Metropolitan of Minsk and Zaslavl Veniamin, and the General Director of the Republican Unitary Postal Service Enterprise “Belpochta” Svetlana Yurkevich.
