The authorities of Voskresensk near Moscow oust the Orthodox clergy from the Victory Day celebrations

THE AUTHORITIES OF VOSKRESENSK NEAR MOSCOW OUST THE ORTHODOX CLERGY FROM THE VICTORY DAY CELEBRATIONS

Metropolitan Juvenaly of Krutitsy and Kolomna received on May 7, 2001, a report from the dean of the Voskresensk district, Moscow region, Hegumen Innocent Yazvikov, which stated in particular:

“The clergy of Voskresensk have invariably participated in the local Victory Day celebrations for the last seventeen years, conducting requiem service for those who were killed, attending the laying of wreaths at the Grave of the Unknown Soldier, meeting with Great Patriotic War veterans. The participation of the Church in the national commemorative day gave special solemnity to the celebrations and consolation to the families of the fallen heroes and therefore were accepted with gratitude by townsfolk.

However, this year the Voskresensk administrative head Ms. Z.I.Panova has forbidden the clergy to participate in the festive ceremony devoted to the May 9 Day. The motivation was that “the town has its own activities, while the Church – her own”, and, in general, “believers have churches, and let them pray there, since the Church is separated from the state”.

Besides, on May 11, a festival of children’s choirs will take place in Voskresensk, and the children’s choir of the Sunday school at the Church of St. John Chrysostom has been invited to participate in it. But this choir will not be admitted to the festival. “We do not need church songs”, declared the cultural directorate chief A.A.Masterov, referring to Ms. Z.I.Panova.

We see in these actions an infringement on the civil rights of the Orthodox believers and an encroachment on the principle of the freedom of conscience and a threat of enkindling a religious strife.

In these difficult circumstances for the Orthodox population of Voskresensk, we prayerfully hope for the help and support of Your Eminence”.

In reply to this appeal, Metropolitan Juvenaly sent an urgent message to Hegumen Innocent, stating:

“Dear Father Hegumen Innocent, I read your report with great bewilderment and indignation. It is the first, and I hope the last, case in our diocese when human rights have been so barbarously violated by the official authorities of the town of Voskresensk, Moscow region. I will immediately inform Governor Gromov about this fact that has clouded the national festivities”.