On June 5, 2026, the memorial day of St. Euphrosyne, Abbess of Polotsk, the Patriarchal Exarch of All Belarus, Metropolitan Veniamin of Minsk and Zaslavl, celebrated the Divine Liturgy at the Holy Cross Cathedral of the Savior Euphrosyne Convent in Polotsk.
This year's celebrations were timed to coincide with the 865th anniversary of the creation of the Cross of St. Euphrosyne of Polotsk, one of the main shrines of the Belarusian people.
His Eminence was accompanied by the archpastors of the Belarusian Orthodox Church and the Russian Orthodox Church, the clergy of the Polotsk diocese and the clergy of the Savior-Euphrosyne Monastery. The abbess of the monastery, Abbess Evdokia (Levshuk), abbesses of women's monasteries, representatives of the authorities, benefactors of the monastery and numerous pilgrims prayed during the divine service.
The liturgical hymns were performed by the choir of the sisters of the monastery under the direction of nun Fevronia (Barmicheva). The sermon on the communion verse was preached by the monastery's confessor, Mitrophoric Archpriest John Gavrilchik.
At the end of the Divine Liturgy, a procession from the Epiphany Cathedral in Polotsk arrived at the Spaso-Euphrosyne Monastery to the sound of bells. Archpastors, clergy, government officials, sisters of the monastery, residents and guests of the city with banners and icons proceeded to Cathedral Square. The procession ended at the Church of the Transfiguration of the Savior, where many years were celebrated to the Hierarchy, Metropolitan Benjamin, Abbess Evdokia and the sisters of the monastery, the authorities and all participants in the celebrations.
Addressing the audience, the Patriarchal Exarch recalled the significance of the Cross of St. Euphrosyne of Polotsk and the spiritual feat of the saint herself. Metropolitan Veniamin emphasized that the example of St. Euphrosyne — her meekness, love of God, determination and selfless service — remains inspiring for modern people.
"This year we celebrate the 865th anniversary of the creation of the Cross of St. Euphrosyne, a great shrine that sanctifies and blesses people who come and worship the Cross," said the archpastor.
The Patriarchal exarch also thanked the archpastors, clergy, pilgrims and all those who came to Polotsk to honor the memory of St. Euphrosyne, Abbess of Polotsk.
Then there was a prayer service for St. Euphrosyne with the akathist. After the service, guests and pilgrims of the monastery were offered a festive meal.
On the evening of the same day, a festive all-night vigil began in the Holy Cross Cathedral on the eve of the day of the celebration of the transfer of the relics of St. Euphrosyne from Kiev to Polotsk.
The cross of St. Euphrosyne of Polotsk was created in 1161 by master Lazar Bogsha, commissioned by the saint for the Spassky Monastery in Polotsk. During the Great Patriotic War, the shrine was lost. The recreated cross was solemnly brought to the Polotsk Spassky Monastery in 1997 and has remained one of the most revered shrines of the Belarusian Orthodox Church ever since.