FIGHT OF THE SAINT: Metropolitan Joseph of Lithuania (Semasko)

Романчук, Александр. 2025. Подвиг светитеља – митрополит литвански Јосиф (Семашко). Београд: Институт за политичке студије. ISBN 978-86-7419-425-6

Summary

This study from the Edition ORTHODOXNESS AND GEOPOLITICS, edited by Prof. Dr. Zoran Milošević and Msr. Dajana Lazarević, and the author of the book itself, Archpriest Aleksandar Romanchuk, aims to introduce the reader to the main milestones of the life and ministry of Metropolitan Joseph. However, it is necessary to first explain it with a brief general historical overview.

It is impossible to overestimate the importance of the Bishop's ministry for the Belarusian people. Metropolitan Joseph dedicated his entire life to overcoming the religious division of the ancestors of modern Belarusians, returning the latter to their spiritual sources and establishing Orthodox piety among them. The personality of Metropolitan Joseph (Semashka) is a symbol of Orthodox church and national unity. What he did does not lose its relevance even in our days. On the contrary, it acquires special significance, because today new attempts are being made to canonically divide the Russian Church, accompanied by efforts to restore and expand the positions of Uniateism in Eastern Europe, which leads to conflict. The experience of overcoming divisions through the merits of Metropolitan Joseph (Semashka) is a lesson and an example for us as well. Today we must remember how easily divisions arise and how difficult it is to overcome them. The main conclusion from getting to know the name of Metropolitan Joseph is that only through unity and love in Christ can we be saved.

Special words of gratitude to the editors of the Edition for the preparation and printing of the book were addressed by Metropolitan of Minsk and Zaslavsky, Patriarchal Exarch of All Belarus Veniamin.