On January 5, 2026, VSMU students participating in the projects "Family and Spiritual and Moral Traditions of Belarus" and "Restoration of Churches in Vitebsk Region" held a charity event to clear snow from the territory and decorate the Holy Protection Cathedral in Vitebsk for Christmas. Representatives of the NGO "BRSM" of VSMU, the trade union of students and staff of VSMU, volunteers, as well as students living in university dormitories, also took part in the event.

The project participants, including students from the Faculty of Training Foreign Citizens, organized a snow removal campaign and a guided tour for students at the memorial sign dedicated to the Beheading of St. John the Baptist, located on the territory of the All-Russian State Medical University. This site unexpectedly recalls the words spoken by Metropolitan Veniamin of Minsk and Zaslavl, Patriarchal Exarch of All Belarus, after the consecration of the memorial sign:

"I am deeply convinced that a doctor should be aware not only of the medical, but also of the spiritual mission of his ministry. The healing of the body is inextricably linked with the healing of the soul. The ability to understand a person's inner world and experiences is no less important than making a diagnosis and prescribing treatment. Here, the interaction between medicine and the Church takes on special significance. The spiritual component, rooted in eternal values such as mercy, compassion, and love for one's neighbor, can have a beneficial effect on a person, strengthen their faith in healing, and give them strength to fight disease.

The Belarusian Orthodox Church actively cooperates with the Ministry of Education to foster the spiritual and moral education of young people. We strive to ensure that everyone is healthy not only physically but also mentally, with clear moral principles and a sense of responsibility to society."