Interaction between the Belarusian Institute of Strategic Research (BISR) and the Belarusian Orthodox Church is mutually beneficial. Oleg Makarov, director of the Institute, noted this in a comment to journalists before the meeting of the BISR staff with Metropolitan of Minsk and Zaslavl Veniamin, Patriarchal Exarch of All Belarus, BELTA reports.
Oleg Makarov noted that this was not the first meeting with Veniamin. Several years ago, the Metropolitan already hosted the BISR team. Long-standing cooperation has been established. "We interact with the Orthodox Church, study and work with experts. And we are happy with the existing interaction. We are useful to each other because we share our research results, and, in turn, receive the observations provided by the experts," he said.
The BISR director noted that the Institute was established on February 12 - it is on this day that the Orthodox Christians celebrate Vasilyev Day. He also spoke about cooperation with the Zhirovichi Monastery, which presented the icon to the BISR team.
Metropolitan Venyamin is confident that much can be done together, by complementing each other. "The Church explores more the world of the human soul. And the Belarusian Institute of Strategic Research also looks at the human soul, at society, how society develops, but at the same time takes the wider view of all the components. Therefore, by joining forces, we will be able to better understand the processes and give the right answers," he said. Speaking about the prospects for cooperation, Veniamin expressed the opinion that they will be more visible after today's meeting.
During the conversation, the Patriarchal Exarch will present his thoughts and answer questions that, according to him, will allow us to better understand how contemporary Belarusian society lives and what the prospects for its development are.