My Hero

Every person lives his life and lives it in his own way. Herewith he/she influences the development of the history of his/her state to some degree. From his/her birth to his/her death man/woman has his/her dreams, desires, and his/her idols that are changed in the course of years. The only thing that remains eternal in our memory and soul are people-heroes whom we choose ourselves. Everyone has his own hero.

One can search for his hero all his life and fail to find him. But if you find anyone, you will never lose him. He remains in our heart forever. Thus famous Belorussian enlightener Efrosinya Polotskaya (saint of the Belorussian land) won my heart. For the first time I heard about her in my history lessons. We have got such a subject as the history of Belarus where we study the history of our Motherland from early times up to nowadays.

Efrosinya’s Christian name (she was probably born in 1104) was Predslava. She completely devote her life to God at the age of twelve and became a devotee of printing activities, a philosophical and spiritual leader and a great enlightener. Having studied her deeds, her activities, I realized that this girl was a real heroine of her time. It is she whom I always admire. That’s my hero.

Predslava’s father had a special hope in a marriage of his daughter. But she was not looking forward to marriage. A protest arose deep inside her soul. She gave up material well-being, throne, and inheritance and entered the convent. Predslava became a nun named Efrosinya in honour of Efrosinya from Alexandria whose example she followed. From that time her life was devoted to her native people whom she wanted to de educated.

She did a lot of charitable work, which included opening schools and hospitals. After several years she moved into the Church of St. Sophia in Polosk where she took to copying books and she delivered the earned money to poor people. Later she opened men and women’s convents. There were workshops for copying books and a library.

It was Efrosinya who opened the first school for girls in Polotsk. Though there were schools before, Efrosinya’s education activity promoted the development of schools education in Polotsk land. She spared no money and ordered to make a six angle cross. Its shape symbolized the universe. The basis of the Cross is cypress from which the most valuable things were made.The peculiarity of the Cross is in the fact that there is a piece of the Cross on which Jesus Christ was crucified. The Cross is extremely beautiful. It became a national sacred piece.

I admire Efrosinya and will always admire her. It is known that Efrosinya did not try to hide behind the convent walls. She courageously overcame all the difficulties. Efrosinya played a great part in the cultural and political life of Polotsk land. This woman is worth the praise of mankind. She is the brightest representative of educational activity. She made an incredible upheaval in the enlightenment and we are grateful to her. Now she is considered to the Protectoress of the Belorussian land.

I am convinced that Efrosinya is worth to be called a hero.

Olga Kornilova

Form 11”D”

Gymnasium 4

Town Smorgon

Republic of Belarus

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