On May 16, 2025, the City Cultural Center in Gomel (Belarus) hosted the grand opening of the Joy of the Word exhibition and forum, organized by the Publishing Council of the Russian Orthodox Church with the participation of the Gomel Diocese. The event was part of a large-scale spiritual and educational program dedicated to the 100th anniversary of the Gomel Diocese.
The opening ceremony was attended by representatives of the city executive committee, cultural and educational institutions, libraries, public organizations, clergy, teachers, students and parishioners of the city's parishes.
Addressing the audience, Archbishop Stefan of Gomel and Zhlobin noted the importance of the Orthodox book as a phenomenon that combines spiritual depth and moral content. His Eminence emphasized that it is through reading good and meaningful literature that one's outlook on life is shaped, and the ideals of loyalty, love, heroism, and compassion are fostered: "Today, more than ever, our hearts are agitated because we are receiving the blessing of His Holiness Patriarch Kirill and our exarch, Metropolitan Benjamin. This Joy of the Word forum is a reminder, first of all to our youth, that a book is a living source of wisdom, kindness, and historical memory. The first and main book is the Bible, the Holy Scripture through which we learn God's plan for man. I hope that each of us will find in these days the seed that gives knowledge of the truth."
Concluding the official part, Priest Andrey Stepanov, a leading specialist of the Publishing Council of the Russian Orthodox Church and curator of the Joy of the Word project, addressed the audience with a pastoral address: "Christ is Risen! These are the words we learn from the book. Through generations, through trials and persecutions, the truth about the Resurrection has reached us. "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God" — and this Word will never die. It will bear witness to us through books about faith, about truth, about God. Today we are opening not only an exhibition, but also a new page in our common spiritual history. May this living word continue to live in our hearts and be passed on to the younger generation." 
The exhibition presents a wide range of Orthodox literature: from the Holy Scriptures and the works of the Holy Fathers to the works of His Holiness Patriarch Kirill, hagiographic, children's, journalistic and fiction literature. Rare and little-known editions of Orthodox publishing houses are also presented.
Two thematic exhibitions have been opened in the lobby of the City's Cultural Center.:
• "Saint Tikhon" — an exhibition dedicated to Saint Tikhon, Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia, tells about his life and ministry during one of the most tragic periods in the history of the Russian Church;
• "In Patience is Salvation" is an exhibition dedicated to the New Martyrs and confessors of the Gomel land. Historical documents, photographs, and archival materials telling about the fates of the holy ascetics are presented here. The name goes back to the words of St. Stephen (Vinogradov), written in 1927: "Remember, in patience is salvation."
On the same day, an ark containing a fragment of the relics of the Great Martyr George the Victorious was brought to the Cathedral of the Holy Apostles Peter and Paul in Gomel.
The shrine was solemnly greeted by Archbishop Stefan, the clergy and parishioners. To the sound of bells, the faithful proceeded to the temple, where St. George was glorified.
Addressing the audience, Bishop Stefan reminded them of the significance of St. George's feat as an example of courage, fidelity to Christ and spiritual fortitude: "We live in a land where there is peace and prosperity today, and it is at this time that it is especially important to thank the Creator for His mercy. The Lord guides us through His saints. I cordially thank His Holiness Patriarch Kirill, Metropolitan Clement of Kaluga and Borovsk, as well as Patriarchal Exarch Veniamin of Minsk and Zaslavl for the opportunity to host the Joy of the Word exhibition and forum in our city and receive this shrine, which spiritually sanctifies our land. I wish that everyone could pray at the relics of St. George and ask for what is necessary for salvation. May the Lord protect everyone."
Also, on May 16, as part of the Joy of the Word exhibition and forum, the International Educational Conference "Kirill Turovsky and the Significance of his Legacy for Modernity" was held at the Francysk Skaryna Gomel State University. 80 years of Victory and Peace."
The conference was attended by students of higher educational institutions of Gomel, teachers, representatives of the clergy and the public.
The conference participants discussed the legacy of St. Kirill of Turov as one of the brightest spiritual thinkers of Ancient Russia, his contribution to the development of the written tradition, theology and church rhetoric. In the context of the 80th anniversary of Victory in the Great Patriotic War, reflections were made on the fate of the Belarusian Orthodox Church during the war, its struggle for canonical status, and the role of the clergy in preserving the faith and identity of the people in the face of trials.