Religion

Eastern Orthodoxy is the most prevalent branch of Christianity and the dominant religion in Belarus. The fact that certain Belarusians (particularly in the east of the nation) are not religious is clear evidence of the legacy of the state atheism of the Soviet era. After the collapse of the Soviet Union, more unconventional and new faiths have emerged in the nation. 73.3% of Belarusians identify as Orthodox Christians, 14.8% as irreligious (atheists and agnostics), 9.7% as Catholic Christians (either Roman Catholic or Belarusian Greek Catholic), and 3.5% as adherents of other religions, according to the Ministry of the Interior's most recent estimates for 2011. (mostly pentecostals).

Rituals and sacred locations. Easter, Christmas, and days of recollection are some of the most significant religious holidays. Russian Orthodox Easter is observed between the end of March and the beginning of May, with a possible six-week gap between it and Catholic Easter. Easter in the Roman Catholic Church changes based on the lunar calendar. Roman Catholics commemorate on December 25, while Russian Orthodox celebrate on January 5. Roman Catholics honor All Souls Day (Dsiady) on November 2 while Russian Orthodox believers observe Radaunitsa, a memorial day, on April 28. Several locations in Belarus, including Polock, Sluck, Brest, and Turov, are associated with several Eastern Orthodox Church saints. The Garbarka Hill is the Russian Orthodox Church's holiest location.