Unique book about St. Euphrosyne of Polotsk for the blind ready for release in Minsk
A unique book about Euphrosyne of Polotsk, printed in Braille with a tactile icon of the saint, has been prepared for publication in Minsk, the Belarusian Orthodox Church reports on its official website
"The MotsArt socio-cultural non-profit organisation – which mainly focuses on the inclusion and rehabilitation of people with visual disabilities – has prepared for publication a unique book, Euphrosyne of Polotsk, for blind and visually impaired people," the source informed. “The book will be printed in Braille and complemented by a relief icon of St. Euphrosyne of Polotsk, which people with visual impairments will be able to ‘see’ tactilely.”
The publication will share the details of the saint’s life, prayers, and the description of the icon. It will also be supplemented with an audio recording of the text, voiced by a professional artiste. The book will also have the stamp of the Publishing Council of the Belarusian Orthodox Church.
“Eight copies of the book are planned for publishing; they will be distributed among regional libraries for the blind free of charge,” the source added.
Euphrosyne of Polotsk was an East Slavic enlightener, the first woman in Belarus to be recognised as a saint. She was born in Polotsk in 1104, and was the granddaughter of Vseslav the Magician and Vladimir Monomakh on her father's and mother's sides. The secular name of the princess was Predslava. At the age of 12, she decided to abandon her dynastic marriage and went into convent. Euphrosyne of Polotsk founded monasteries for women and men in her hometown. Thanks to her efforts, the Polotsk chronicle was kept and the library of St. Sophia Cathedral was replenished with new editions. She is also known as a patron of the arts, and the Holy Saviour Church was built at her expense. It is there that the relics of the saint are now kept. A unique cross named after her was also created by order of Euphrosyne of Polotsk. It disappeared during the Great Patriotic War, but in 1997 a full-size replica of the shrine was made (now kept in Polotsk). At the end of her life, the enlightener made a pilgrimage to Jerusalem, during which she fell ill and died. Church veneration of Euphrosyne began at the end of the 12th century, and she was recognised as a saint in 1893.
