This year the day of memory of St. Barbara coincided with the second Sunday of Advent. That’s why the solemnity in the main church of the diocese of Vitebsk, which has the title of St. Barbara, was transferred to the Saturday evening, December 3, 2005. On this occasion in the church there gathered numerous believers – representatives of all the parishes of Vitebsk. The Holy Mass was celebrated in Latin by F. Michal Yermashkevich o.p., dean of the parish. It became good tradition of the cathedral church to celebrated Masses on Saturdays in the official liturgical language of the Catholic Church.

During the homily F. Michal – in the light of the Year of the Eucharist – reminded believers of the duty to develop Eucharistic devotion. St. Barbara – patroness of good death – will undoubtedly help us to learn this duty. Addressing to God through her intercession we hope that we will not leave this world without the Viaticum. That’s why St. Barbara is considered to be the patroness of good death. On icons she is usually presented with the Blessed Sacrament, which she received from an angel before her death.

During the Holy Mass one could hear marvelous Latin singing. At the end of the liturgy there were sanctified icons of St. Barbara.