Today, September 16, students from the Belarusian National Technical University (BNTU) visited St. Elisabeth Convent. Such trips have become a cherished tradition for the university, offering students a chance to briefly step away from noisy lecture halls and into the peaceful atmosphere of the monastery. The guests were welcomed by a longtime friend of BNTU, Priest Sergius Faley. Father Sergius frequently interacts with students at the university’s spiritual and educational center, and on this occasion, he warmly hosted them on the convent grounds.
During the tour, the group was introduced to the convent's principal holy sites. The students visited the Church of the "Reigning" Icon of the Mother of God, the Church of St. John of Shanghai and San Francisco, and the Church of the Holy Martyr Grand Duchess Elizabeth. While walking through the grounds, the guests admired the convent's unique architecture and connected with its rich history. They were also given a behind-the-scenes look at monastic life and toured the local workshops.
A key part of the visit was a conversation between Father Sergius and the young people. The priest spoke about his own journey to faith, explained the nature of grace, and shared his thoughts on the importance of spiritual growth.
"Trips like this help you unwind and learn a lot of new things. What stood out most to me was the conversation with Father Sergius about how to turn to God so that He hears you. In moments like that, you start to believe that spiritual support truly exists and can help you through difficult times," said Anastasia Nemovets, a first-year student at the Faculty of Management Technologies and Humanitarization. Other tour participants also noted the special atmosphere of the conversation as they reflected on important spiritual matters with the priest. Maria Krasovskaya, a student at FTUG, was particularly struck by the explanation of the hidden meaning behind familiar Orthodox traditions:
“Father Sergiy spoke about the importance of prayer and how, during it, time seems to vanish. He explained the profound meaning embedded in the Sign of the Cross. It was truly fascinating. I believe such trips are essential. Young people today are often far removed from spiritual topics, and excursions like this help us better understand traditions and find the right inner bearings.”
Exploring the monastery’s picturesque grounds and the beauty of its churches left the participants with truly heartwarming impressions. The time spent in the quiet of the monastery allowed the students to briefly step away from the hustle and bustle of daily life and reflect on matters that matter to everyone.
