On the 20th anniversary of the canonization of Blessed Valentina of Minsk and the 60th anniversary of her death, on February 6, 2026, the Patriarchal Exarch of All Belarus, Metropolitan Veniamin of Minsk and Zaslavl, celebrated the Divine Liturgy at the Church of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker in the village of Stankovo, Minsk region, where the saint's father once served and she herself prayed.
At the end of the Liturgy, Blessed Valentina of Minsk was glorified, after which Bishop Pavel congratulated the Patriarchal Exarch on the holiday, thanked him for praying together, and presented him with an icon of Blessed Valentina of Minsk and a stained-glass window depicting a Guardian Angel.
Metropolitan Veniamin donated the Minsk Icon of the Mother of God to the parish, congratulated the faithful on the holiday and addressed them with a word of edification.
Then the Patriarchal Exarch led a prayer service at the resting place of Blessed Valentina of Minsk. After the divine service, the bishop delivered a sermon.
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Blessed Valentina was born in 1888 into the family of priest Theodore Cherniavsky, who served as rector of the St. Nicholas Church in the village of Stankovo, Minsk district, and lived in the neighboring village of Koski. Together with his wife Sofya Chernyavskaya, they raised three more daughters. Shortly before the First World War, Valentina Chernyavskaya got married, becoming the chosen one of Feodor Sulkovsky. In 1931, on a false denunciation, her husband was arrested and exiled to a camp, three years later he died in exile. The husbands of Valentina's older sisters, priests, were also repressed.
His father was no longer alive, and his home in Koski was confiscated as the property of a clergyman. Valentina moved into the church gatehouse with her elderly mother. When her mother died in 1937, Valentina became completely ill and remained bedridden for 33 years until her death. It was then that the blessed one embarked on her prayer feat. My mother's meekness, wisdom, kindness and compassion earned her popular love during her lifetime. The saint healed and supported those who came to her for help, speaking in figurative phrases with deep meaning for those who know how to listen. With a spiritual eye, she saw into the lives of those who visited her, gave answers to unspoken questions. Hundreds of people came to the small, modest house, including clergymen, many of whom are now glorified as saints.
The first evidence of miracles performed by the blessed One dates back to the pre-war period. She foresaw the Great Patriotic War, warning her fellow countrymen: "The earth will burn."… You'll have to see iron birds in the sky." Long before Metropolitan Filaret was appointed to the Minsk department, Matushka said: "Vladyka Filaret is flying to us from Germany."
Matushka died in 1966, and 40 years later, by decision of the Synod of the Belarusian Orthodox Church, she was canonized as a locally venerated saint, becoming the only ascetic in Belarus to be glorified. Her life, service, and akathist were compiled.
She told many of her visitors: "I'm going to die, but come to me as if you were alive, and I'll help you." The promise that Mother made is being fulfilled to this day. As a caring mother, she lovingly accepts all those who come with a pure heart and seek God's help.
Every Sunday, Holy water prayer services are held at the resting place of Blessed Valentina near the village of Krysovo in the Minsk region, which are attended by believers not only from all over Belarus, but also from other countries. By good tradition, on big church holidays, people decorate the resting place of the saint with fresh flowers and natural materials in order to thank them for their help through her prayers.
In 2024, on the initiative of the faithful, the construction of a chapel church was initiated at the resting place of the saint. Fundraising through a charity account is organized by the Belarusian Peace Foundation.