Metropolitan Kirill of Smolensk and Kaliningrad addresses the conference on Multi-Ethnic Resource of Russian Statehood
31.01.2003 · English
METROPOLITAN KIRILL OF SMOLENSK AND KALININGRAD ADDRESSES THE CONFERENCE ON MULTI-ETHNIC RESOURCE OF RUSSIAN STATEHOOD
A reflection-action conference on Multi-Ethnic Resource of Russian Statehood took place on January 20, 2003, in Moscow. It was organized by the Presidential Envoy to the Central Federal Region, the State Duma Committees for Nationalities and for Public Associations and Religious Organizations, the Russian Academy of Civil Service under the Russian President, the National Union of Public Organizations, the Union of Russian Diasporas and other governmental structures and public organizations.
The purpose of the conference was to systematize the positive experience gained in the areas of ethno-demographic policy and inter-ethnic partnership and to promote the formation of civil society institutions.
A message of greeting from His Holiness Patriarch Alexy II of Moscow and All Russia was read out by Metropolitan Kirill of Smolensk and Kaliningrad, chairman of the Moscow Patriarchate Department for External Church Relations.
In his address, Metropolitan Kirill noted that Russia is a multi-national, multi-confessional and multi-religious country. Yet the essence of these notions are sometimes interpreted not quite correctly. “In asserting the obvious fact that Russia is a multi-national, multi-confessional and multi-religious society, it should not be forgotten that eighty percent of this society are ethnic Russians, most of whom have been baptized to Orthodoxy”, he said. “Suppression of this obvious fact prevents one from getting an adequate idea of the situation in Russian society today”.
Metropolitan Kirill reminded his listeners that though in some European countries the strength of the title nation does not exceed sixty percent of the population, they are not described as multi-national states. “Eighty percent of the population is a decisive majority, and the stability of society depends on how relations between the majority and various minorities develop”, he said.
In order to make the multi-national, multi-confessional and multi-religious Russian state with a pronounced Orthodox Russian majority a common and really dear home for all people in the country, it is important that all citizens, regardless of their nationality and faith, should have their rights really guaranteed, the DECR chairman believes. “There is nothing offending in the statement that Russia is a state of Russian Orthodox people in which ethnic and religious minorities also live, provided that the ethnic and religious minorities are protected and their rights are ensured”, the metropolitan said. However, he added, if the rights of minorities are arbitrarily violated in favour of the majority, this society cannot be considered to be just”, he said.
MESSAGE FROM HIS HOLINESS PATRIARCH ALEXY II OF MOSCOW AND ALL RUSSIA
TO THE CONFERENCE ON
THE MULTI-ETHNIC RESOURCE OF THE RUSSIAN STATEHOOD
Dear Participants in the Conference,
I cordially greet you as you have gathered in this hall to reflect together on the prospects of building harmonious inter-ethnic relations in Russia. It is very important that this theme should become a subject of responsible and well-balanced discussion among representatives of various branches and levels of government, scholars, religious and public leaders.
Our society stands in acute need of consolidating inter-ethnic peace. In order to make it lasting we should put an end to any manifestation of extremism and attempt to enkindle inter-ethnic enmity, for “deceit is in the heart of those who devise evil, but those who plan good have joy” (Prov. 12:20). Peace however will be lasting and just only if every nationality, however large or small it may be, can develop freely and fulfill its historical mission as it sees and understands it and make influence on governmental decision-making. Unity in diversity is that richness with which Russia has been endowed by the Lord. It should become a basis of the comprehensive development of our Motherland.
The traditional religions of Russia’s people have played a unique role in this development. It is my profound conviction that to build national harmony, society and state should support home spiritual traditions and dialogue between those who express them.
I wish all participants success, and may “the effect of righteousness will be peace, and the result of righteousness, quiet and trust for ever” (Is. 32:17).
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