Lately, such extraordinary events such as “myrrh weeping” or even “blood weeping” have manifested themselves, and for some have signalled the beginning of the “end or last times”. Some Orthodox faithful consider this as an occasion that creates a feeling of “spiritual inferiority”. If leave the impression, that it has happened to others, but not to us. Those, who have had an opportunity to witness this miracle, often sing out their «spiritual» joy with delight. In one instance, a recent message, “A new miracle! An icon started to weep after the Divine Liturgy at the moment when rector of parish, Miter-protopresbyter NN unhanded birds. i.e. starlings and doves”.

But more often this unnatural signs are perceived without such joy as it had been. This is because the more evident is the miracle, the more scrutiny and concern it causes. It is as we see the fact that miracle could be not only development of special grace of God, but also could be more clearly realized as threatening warning, a bitter reproach from above – because myrrh-weeping often in these images of the saints literally weeping, and from the wounds of the Saviour blood is flowing.

Especially strong is how it was felt in the connection with the events in Dzierzhynsk. This little town with hard name (in honour of Felix Dzierzhinsky, who was after the October revolution became the founder and developer of Secret Police Service), some 30 km (21 miles) from Minsk has recently attracted the attention of the entire Orthodox world. At the end of January in local parish church of the Protection of Theotokos, suddenly the icons have started weeping. First it was noticed, that the icon of Theotokos "wept", then three day later myrrh weeping had spread to other icons. In the course of days this miracle event encompassed more than 10 icons. An apparently noticeable myrrh weeping started even from metal crosses, and near some icons bowls for collecting myrrh were used. But, the altar became the focal point of the phenomena. On some icons liquid not only oiled but also a red colored oozed, similar in appearance to blood. Such “blood” started to weep, for instance, from the wounds of the Saviour.

All of this, of course, attracted the attention of local population and pilgrims from Minsk as well as from abroad. The church building was constantly open and crowded. Some hurried with awed veneration of the icons, some personal spirituality, some just with curiosity. We should mention, that from the very beginning among pilgrims besides natural delight with the miracle, had placed a strange and unsettling effect. Too who witnessed all of this looked upon it without generating any joy, especially with the appearance of tears and blood from the wounds.

Suddenly something strange started - myrrh began to flow from the walls. The phenomena started more and more began to be interpreted as a call for repentance. The question was “For whose repentance?” Is it for someone personally, this parish, the town with the ominous name of Dzierzhynsk, the whole our country, or just the Orthodox or perhaps the entire Orthodox world? Why this particular parish church was chosen?

Questions not only remain, but also became sharper after even more incredible events, that took place a month later, at the end of February.

As it was mentioned, the focal point of the miracle was in the altar, there had taken place strange and extraordinary facts.

In the altar myrrh contains religious vessels (used for services) and on the altar table itself, an antimins (an altar cloth that carries permission from a bishop to serve the divine services).

Once during the service priests noticed that from the on the altar table the Gospel Book flowed with something similar to blood. But they didn't stop service. And then something inconceivable happened. It was like flash blazed and altar table started to burn. There is no information about the degree of how much was burned. According to some witnesses the antimins burned completely and some icons near altar table are damaged. The Altar table was then changed. Some time later, the parish church was closed and opened only for the services.

A committee headed by Metropolitan Filaret and Archbishop of Viciebsk, Demetrious then arrived. The committee's findings have not been announced. But in private talks, the Metropolitan was very worried with the inaccuracy and untidiness of the temple, and he said in such sense, that all of this is a result of some “internal affairs” of the parish. There is even testimony, that Metropolitan Filaret was in contact with some venerable monks from Mount Athos, and of them saying that "it's a sign of upcoming trials", and this implication is a result of the consultations. It's hard to imagine what "internal affairs" could it be in provincial parish, even untidy and inaccurate to cause such sign and attention.

There is mystery in the air. Suddenly all the talks about Dzierzhynsk have stopped. However, pilgrims who recently attended the church argue that the myrrh weeping continues. Some people name it in another way – oil-weeping. In church in the afternoon there was only employee of the parish, women, who were not eager to speak a lot. They avoided any concrete talks on the topic. General impression that pilgrims called "oppressive".

We contacted to Minsk Diocesan Office about any official statement. “Let every human being keep silence (words from the song on the Great Saturday, in which the Sacrament of the death of the Christ is sung)… here is the response” this how we got the answer.