The Creed
Minsk, 2018

Over centuries in Belarus several denominations have coexisted, including the Belarusian Orthodox Church and Roman Catholicism. Under the communist regime, the state imposed atheism throughout. In the Post-Soviet period the importance of religion has increased, although it appears that 40% of the population remain atheists. From 2003, the concordat between church and state has provided the Belarusian Orthodox Church with considerable autonomy, while other religious communities are still subject to state control and are required to register with the government. 

It appears that churches are monitored so they avoid criticism of the autocratic regime. These restrictions have led to the continuation of religious practices in private households. Traditionally, religious households had a ‘red corner’, a corner shelf oriented towards the East displaying several icon images, though nowadays religious icons as testimonies of belief are more likely to be displayed on a wall.

A detailed portfolio is available on request.