“Belarusan Youth Movement of America”

In New Brunswick the celebration of the Day of Will was held with the joint effort of New York and New Jersey divisions of Belarusan-American Association (BAZA). Early in the morning, literally 5 minutes away from there, a festive prayer, dedicated to the Independence Day of Belarus, took place at the Church of the Holy Icon of Zhirovichi Mother of God.

At the Hyatt Regency Hotel nearly a hundred Belarusans gathered together to celebrate their greatest national holiday. The eventful day was opened by the speeches of Yurka Azarka and Vital Zaika, the chairs of the divisions that organized the festivities.

Belarusan Americans received holiday greetings from the President of the Rada (Council) of Belarusan People’s Republic Ivonka Survila, from the Governor, Senator and Congressman of the State of New Jersey Chris Christie, Frank Lautenberg and Frank Pallone. Also, Belarusans were greeted by the priest of the Belarusan Autocephalous Orthodox Church in Highland Park, Father Zinovy. A very interesting historical and analytical speech about the importance of March, 25th in the history of Belarus was given by Vitaut Kapel, the chairman of the Belarusan Institute of Science and Arts. Also, Belarusan Americans unanimously accepted a resolution on March, 21st.

Those who attended the event were able to view the exhibition that was organized by the Belarusan Museum in New York. Pleasing to the eye of the viewer were the works of 11 artists that reminded of our native land. The paintings by Ales Marachkin, Ales Shaternik, Henadz Drazdou, Yahor Batalyonak, Syarhei Tsimohau, Yanka Ramanovich, Alena Tylkina, Alyaksandar Hryhoryau, Julia Shaternik, Viktar Vasukevich and Serge Arden were exhibited at the event.

Al little earlier a festive prayer, held at the Belarusan Church in Highland Park, gathered the believers from New Jersey and neighboring cities and states. During the days of the Lent, many people came to confess and participate in a Sacrament with the pure soul and heart and wait for the Easter. It was also pleasing to see the youth joining the event together with their older countrymen.

At the end of his sermon, Father Zinovy greeted all those who came to the church service for the Belarusan National holiday and told them: “The Day of Will falls on the Lent. We must remember how the independence of our Belarus was obtained and learn more about those days that were historical for our country.  Knowing this day and celebrating it properly is a token of respect to our heroic ancestors who won the treasure of independence for the Belarusan people after the centuries of struggle.”

The flags of Belarus and the United States were brought into the middle of the church hall. Father Zinovy sent a prayer for Belarus and those who fought for its independence, as well as all residents of our native country. Belarusan believers, many of whom wore national costumes, listened to the heart-stopping words of the priest and prayed for the land of our Fathers.

White color is the symbol of purity, innocence and truth. The red color represents all the suffering and the tests of fate that we need to overcome in order to reach those things. It would be so great to see in our country the white and red flags which remind of the Christ’s commandments. Raised together with the smiles in the eyes of thousands of Belarusans in different cities and towns of our country, they would indicate that Belarus finally follows the path that was laid for us by the founders of the Belarusan People’s Republic.

Happy Holiday to all Belarusans!

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We would also like to invite you to the Day of Will Holiday Rally in NYC to celebrate our National Holiday – 92 years since the Belarusan independence. The event will be held at 1 pm in front of the United Nations Building.