Cover-Up, Indoctrination, and Psychological Manipulation

Section from the Article: Andrei Lemeshonok – Criminal or Saint?
Published 06 December 2024
Sources: [07], [08], [17], [18], [23], [24], [27], [33]

“Holy” Destruction of Children

Abstract

According to multiple reports, children at St. Elisabeth Convent in Minsk are subjected to an intense and rigid program of religious indoctrination, often blending psychological manipulation with militaristic training. Allegations suggest that Andrei Lemeshonok, exploited his authority to instill fear, repeatedly warning children that disobedience or attempts to leave would result in damnation. Witnesses indicate that Lemeshonok’s teachings focused heavily on submission and unwavering obedience, maintaining control by invoking the fear of divine retribution.

Central to this indoctrination is the convent’s military-patriotic club, known as «Orlyata» (Eagle). Under Lemeshonok’s leadership, this club has allegedly served as a tool for militarizing youth, encouraging them to adopt a worldview that casts the West as the primary antagonist of the «Russian World». Within Orlyata, children are reportedly taught that Russia is superior in all respects, and they receive training in handling firearms, disassembling weapons, and even practicing heavy weaponry.

A girl from an orphanage holds a heavy rifle – Texty.org.ua

Regarding Andrei Lemeshonok, the most important is to help the children to substantiate the principles of a Christian attitude to the world through their «free choice» to do good and call the war in Ukraine a «Holy War».

Each year, the scale of youth participation in these «patriotic» clubs reportedly expands under state direction, with Belarusian authorities increasingly endorsing the program. The goal of these patriotic clubs is clear: to systematically indoctrinate and militarize young people. In these camps, children and teenagers wear military uniforms, adhere to a strict army-like routine, and participate in physical combat training and weapon handling, all of which reinforce an intensely patriotic and anti-Western ideology. Observers warn that approximately 3,000 minors are now involved in similar camps and clubs across Belarus, living under military-like conditions and subjected to continuous ideological conditioning (source [17:1]).

«Orlyata (Eagle) is an Orthodox military-patriotic club for children and teenagers at the St. Elisabeth Monastery in Minsk»

«Military personnel came to the Orlyata summer settlement – they played with the children, cooked, taught them how to disassemble weapons and help the wounded»

«St. Elisabeth Monastery – BEING AN EAGLE IS A SERVICE»

The main goal of the military club «Orlyata» regarding Andrei Lemeshonok, is to help children:

– Development and improvement of character on the principles of Christian love for one’s «neighbor», selfless devotion to the Orthodox Church, and the assimilation of its teachings as the «basis of life»

– Development of a conscious feeling of love and devotion to one’s homeland, through familiarization with its history, culture, great people and their exploits, everyday life, folk art, geography, and nature

In May 2024, Belarusian state influence on youth indoctrination programs escalated further. As part of this campaign, authorities mandated schools to show video messages from Fyodor Povnyy, a prominent figure in the Belarusian Orthodox Church aligned with the Russian Orthodox Church. Povnyy’s messages, often laced with anti-Western rhetoric, propagate disinformation that aligns with state narratives (source [07:1]).

Povnyy’s address with Stalin in the background – Euvsdisinfo.eu

His televised Sunday sermons on a Belarusian state TV channel continue to reinforce a divisive stance, echoing themes of enmity toward Western nations. Through these militarized programs and aggressive messaging, Belarus appears to be cultivating a generation trained not only in religious orthodoxy but also in a brand of ultra-nationalism that aligns closely with the Neo-Nazi ideology promoted by the Russian and Belarusian authorities (source [07:2]).

Insiders allege that the influence of St. Elisabeth Convent stretches deep into Belarus’s political and religious institutions, effectively granting it operational immunity. When guardians, journalists, and activists have attempted to investigate the convent’s practices, they report encountering obstacles at every turn, including stonewalling, threats, and even legal action. This pattern of resistance has only heightened concerns of a deliberate cover-up, suggesting a coordinated effort to keep troubling details out of public view.

St. Elisabeth Convent, Holy Accounting or A Temple of God – Buromedia.io

What makes these allegations particularly alarming is the purported role of Andrei Lemeshonok and his supporters in shielding the convent from scrutiny. Lemeshonok is accused of using his religious authority and the convent’s reputation to deflect criticism. By invoking the name of St. Elisabeth Convent – a name associated with charity and spiritual growth – and leaning on the authority of the Orthodox Church in Belarus, Lemeshonok has reportedly portrayed the institution as a sacred refuge for the vulnerable. This framing, however, is only to mask a more dark and disturbing reality.

Children from an orphanage with heavy rifles – Texty.org.ua

Critics argue that this sacred image has effectively insulated Lemeshonok and his sect members, making it nearly impossible for victims or their families to seek justice. Reports also indicate that in Belarusian orphanages, schools, and camps, children are taught how to handle weapons as part of a broader nationalist and militaristic agenda. Military-affiliated Telegram channels reportedly go so far as to designate neighboring countries, such as Poland and the Baltic states, as adversaries (source [08:1]).

These accounts collectively paint a troubling picture of an institution that, shielded by powerful allies and armed with a carefully cultivated reputation, operates beyond accountability. For those affected, this protection only deepens the challenge of bringing these alleged abuses to light, raising serious concerns about the intersection of faith.

Záver

The allegations against Andrei Lemeshonok and the St. Elisabeth Convent in Minsk paint a deeply dark picture of systemic indoctrination, militarization, and psychological manipulation of vulnerable children. Through programs like the military-patriotic club «Orlyata», children are reportedly subjected to a rigorous ideological regimen that combines Orthodox religious teachings with ultra-nationalist and anti-Western narratives, fostering a worldview aligned with the divisive ideologies of the Belarusian and Russian states.

The use of religious authority to coerce obedience and instill fear, coupled with training in weaponry and militaristic practices, raises profound ethical and legal concerns. These practices, if verified, constitute a severe breach of children’s rights and a deliberate effort to exploit religious platforms for advancing political and nationalist agendas.

Compounding the issue is the convent’s apparent impunity, bolstered by its connections to Belarusian state and Orthodox Church structures. This institutional shielding has reportedly enabled Lemeshonok and his associates to deflect scrutiny and avoid accountability, even as credible allegations of abuse and manipulation surface. Efforts to expose the convent’s practices have been met with stonewalling, intimidation, and legal threats, further highlighting the lack of transparency and accountability within the institution.

The systematic indoctrination of children into a militarized and ideological framework not only undermines their fundamental rights but also contributes to a broader strategy of cultivating a generation steeped in ultranationalist and divisive rhetoric. This alarming trend demands urgent attention from international human rights organizations, child protection advocates, and legal authorities.

Ultimately, these allegations challenge the integrity of institutions claiming to uphold values of charity and spiritual guidance while operating under the guise of sanctity to propagate harmful ideologies. Addressing these grave issues is critical to ensuring justice for victims, safeguarding the rights of vulnerable populations, and holding accountable those who exploit faith for ideological and political gains.

Source index

Author:
Leon (Nic. Cheropoulos)
2025.01.01