The Greek Catholic Parish In Orsha Failed To Complete Its Re-registration

• 24.06.2026, 15:18

Parishioners gathered for services at St. Joseph's Church.

The Orsha Greek Catholic (Uniate) parish—the Association of the Protection of the Most Holy Mother of God—failed to pass state re-registration, according to "Radio Svaboda". Parishioners used to gather for services at St. Joseph’s Church on Sovetskaya Street.

The Orsha parish has become the fourth Greek Catholic community to lose its registration during the current re-registration process. Before it began, there were 16 Greek Catholic parishes operating in Belarus. Thus, a quarter of them failed to pass the re-registration process. In addition to Orsha, parishes in Brest, Baranovichi, and Ivatsevichi were unable to pass the government’s screening process.

A large-scale re-registration of religious communities in Belarus was announced at the end of 2023, when the law “On Amending Laws Concerning the Activities of Religious Organizations” was signed. All religious communities in Belarus were required to submit their re-registration documents by July 1, 2025.