Televised address by His Holiness Patriarch Alexy II of Moscow and All Russia concerning the death of the crew of the Kursk nuclear submarine

TELEVISED ADDRESS BY HIS HOLINESS PATRIARCH ALEXY II OF MOSCOW AND ALL RUSSIA CONCERNING THE DEATH OF THE CREW OF THE KURSK NUCLEAR SUBMARINE

Dear brothers and sisters,

Pain and sorrow have overwhelmed in these days the hearts of millions of people — we have lost the best crew of the submarine «Kursk». There are no words that could express the depth of our sorrowful feelings. There are no words that could console the relatives and associates of the dead. The tragedy of our submariners has become the grief of the whole country.

The Bishops’ Council of the Russian Orthodox Church, which took place in Moscow, interrupted its work as soon as it learnt about this disaster and lifted up a prayer for the rescue of the people who were in undersea captivity. We believed in and hoped for the safe outcome. But as it became clear later, the catastrophe took the lives of many seamen in the very first minutes and hours of the tragedy. It was already late to pray for their health. All through the last week we did not lose hope for the rescue of at least part of the crew but it was not fated to come true. But I firmly believe that the Lord has heard our prayer and relieved the suffering of the seamen. Now the Church prays for the repose of the heroic submariners, believing that the Lord will accept them into the heavenly mansions and reward them for their great feat.

During the meeting with the President of the Russian Federation I could see how keenly Vladimir Vladimirovich took this tragedy, how hard it was for him to speak about it with the participants and guests of the Jubilee Bishops’ Council. And I am sure that the President and the Government of Russia will do all that is possible to help the relatives and associates to survive this painful loss.

Today we need to find the strength to endure courageously the disaster that has shocked us all in order not to become embittered seeking to find the guilty and making hasty conclusions but to unite in carrying in dignity our common cross. It is hard, of course, hard for all of us.

We are lifting up ardent prayers for those who have lost fathers, husbands, sons and grandsons, so that the Lord may give them strength, courage and patience to endure the pain of the irretrievable loss. We all share their suffering. We grieve together with you, my dear ones.

A deep bow to you from our Church and from the entire Russian people. Have courage, stand firm and forgive.

PATRIARCH OF MOSCOW AND ALL RUSSIA

Moscow, August 22, 2000