Polotsk is the father of all the cities of our motherland. Therefore, it is not surprising that the first cathedral made of stone – Saint Sophia Cathedral – appeared there; that Izyaslav, the first duke-book-lover, ruled here, in Polotsk; that the enlightenment of Belarus started here from St. Euphrosyne; and that Francisk Skorina, the son of enlightenment, provided our people with the written word. And it is not a coincidence that Polotsk was chosen to establish the first educational establishment in Belarus – Polotsk Jesuit Academy.

Polotsk, an ancient Christianity centre, is proud of its old traditions in education. The enlightenment activity, started by Euphrosyne of Polotsk, took roots and brought fruitful results. Just as St. Euphrosyne gave her people the light of Christian education and scholarship of the eastern, Byzantine type, the Jesuits, in their turn, introduced our ancestors to the glorious traditions of Western European Christianity. Polotsk Jesuit College and Academy were established on the foundation laid by Euphrosyne, later they were transformed into Polotsk Higher Piarists School, Polotsk Cadet Corps, Novopolotsk Polytechnic Institute and finally into Polotsk State University, modern treasure-house of education and science.

Polotsk Jesuit College

Polotsk Jesuit Academy

Polotsk Higher Piarists School

Polotsk Cadet Corps

Novopolotsk Polytechnic Institute

Polotsk State University