Statement of the Holy Synod of the Russian Orthodox Church on the situation in the North Caucasus

STATEMENT OF THE HOLY SYNOD OF THE RUSSIAN ORTHODOX CHURCH ON THE SITUATION IN THE NORTH CAUCASUS

The antiterrorist operation in Chechnya has entered a concluding stage. The Holy Synod does justice to the Russian soldiers and law-enforcers who, fulfilling their duty to defend the territorial integrity of Russia and the peaceful life of its citizens, seek to quell the long-lived hotbed of aggressive criminality. We bow our heads before the victims among the servicemen, militiamen and civilians who found themselves in the zone of operations. May the Lord give rest to those who were killed and relieve the pain and suffering of the wounded and those who have lost their relatives and friends, houses and property. We pray for a speedy release of the hostages and all those who have been hijacked by terrorists and for their coming back home. We also feel sorrow for the those blinded by hatred and refusing to lay down arms. May the Most High make them listen to reason and help them to return to creative work.

It is necessary now to build peaceful and full-blooded life in Chechnya and adjacent territories again. First of all it is necessary to do all that is possible to stop the suffering of the ill, wounded, displaced, homeless, bereaved of brain-winners and relatives and friends. We appeal to archpastors and pastors to intensify their spiritual and material support for these people. It is necessary to begin establishing law in this scorched land which has not seen it in practice for the last years. To this end, the government should be in continuous dialogue with elders, Muslim clergy and other people of authority in the North Caucasus. Respect should be shown for the way of life prescribed by Islam, especially in areas of education, family morality and norms of behaviour. Otherwise the forces interested in confrontation between Christianity and Islam will received a new pretext for provocations. At the same time the rights of the believers of other religions should be restored in the land of Chechnya, including those of Orthodox Christians, for we know that their rights have been tramples by the militants who have oppressed believers and hijacked and tortured pastors.

In concluding the struggle with terrorism, which is a guarantee of a peaceful future for Chechnya, attention should be given to the condition of well-wishing civilians; victims among them give us special pain. Even imprisoned militants whose families are at liberty should be treated humanely and according to law. They should not be punished beyond what is prescribed by law and they should be given an opportunity to redeem their faults.

As Holy Scriptures says, «Let us then pursue what makes for peace and for mutual upbuilding» (Rom. 14:19), May the building of life in Chechnya, the restoration of its economy and order be accompanied with brotherly care and faithfulness to the lofty moral norms, so that the people of this land could feel safe, seeing friends and helpers in Russian fellow-citizens. It is only in this way that we can overcome enmity fraught with new troubles.