“Orthodox Russia” exhibition to be held in Moscow in January 2003

“ORTHODOX RUSSIA” EXHIBITION TO BE HELD IN MOSCOW IN JANUARY 2003

A press conference on the “Orthodox Russia” exhibition will be held at the Department for External Church Relations of the Moscow Patriarchate at 4.00 p.m. on 5 December 2002. Metropolitan Kirill of Smolensk and Kaliningrad, DECR chairman, VO Restec director general S. Trofimov and the ANO СPilgrimТs CenterТ director general S. Zhitenev will answer journalistsТ questions on behalf of the Exhibition Steering Committee.

With the Blessing of His Holiness Alexy II, Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia
The First All-Russian Exhibition
“Orthodox Russia”
Moscow, Gostiny Dvor Exhibition Center, 22-25 January 2003

The first all-Russian “Orthodox Russia” exhibition will be held in Moscow, the capital of Russia, the old and glorious Russian city, on January 22-25, 2003. The decision to hold the exhibition is an acknowledgement of the fact that Orthodox exhibitions are necessary both for the Church and society, which have deepened their cooperation during recent years.

The main purpose of the exhibition is to acquaint the visitors with the life of the Russian Orthodox Church, her shrines, traditions, and historical and cultural monuments as well as to show the best patterns of the modern church art and craftsmanship of Orthodox people.

The exhibition is arranged by the Department for External Church Relations of the Moscow Patriarchate, St. Petersburg authorities, Restec Exhibition Association and the ANO СPilgrimТs CenterТ.

His Holiness Patriarch Alexy II of Moscow and All Russia and Metropolitan Kirill of Smolensk and Kaliningrad are presidents of the Exhibition Trustee Board and the Exhibition Steering Committee respectively.

Participants in the event will be the Russian Orthodox Synodal institutions, dioceses, monasteries, churches, church related organizations, Orthodox publishers and mass media as well as pilgrimage services, architectural and art-manufacturing workshops, bell-casting enterprises, jewellery firms and workshops of peopleТs crafts.

The exhibition will show various aspects of life and work of the Russian Orthodox Church: its history, shrines, todayТs ministry, management, production of Orthodox manufacturers, restoration of churches and monasteries, church art, publishing and agriculture. The exhibition will help people appreciate the beneficial effect of Orthodoxy on all aspects of life and will promote a dialogue between society and the Church.

It is noteworthy that the exhibition will be held in Moscow Gostiny Dvor, a well-known public and cultural center of the city. Gostiny Dvor today is a comfortable and functioning complex with spacious areas and unlimited technical potential to host the first all-Russian exhibition devoted to the Russian Orthodox Church in a worthy manner. It will be an important event in cultural and spiritual life of Russia, which will help acquaint the public with Orthodox values.

The exhibition will be attended by the Primate and hierarchs of the Russian Orthodox Church, members of the Council of the Federation, State Duma deputies and governmental officials.

The year 2003 is marked with the 300^th anniversary of the foundation of St. Petersburg. In the jubilee year, the North Capital will present in Moscow its exhibition entitled “St. Petersburg. 300 years of Spiritual Culture”, which will be held in Moscow Gostiny Dvor on 22-25 January 2002 Ц the same dates as the “Orthodox Russia” exhibition. Along with the exposition dedicated to the restoration of the St. Petersburg historical center, the jubilee exhibition will present Orthodox places of interest in St. Petersburg and the restoration program of churches and monasteries.

The two exhibitions held at one and the same time are to express the spiritual and cultural unity of Russia encompassing all regions, cities and villages. A special part is assigned to St. Petersburg, a important center of Russian spirituality, which symbolizes magnificence and glory of our homeland, its self-identity and aspiration for dialogue with the world.

More information, stand reservation and ticket booking are available on the site http://www.restec.ru/holyrussia-m

Department for External Church Relations
Moscow Patriarchate
115191, Moscow, Danilovsky Val, 22,
St. DanielТs Monastery
Tel: 952-20-27

Restec Exhibition Association
Moscow (095) 181-6445, 234-5049
E-mail: culture@restec.ru
Saint Petersburg, P.B. 268
Tel: (812) 320-8095, 235-8384; fax (812) 320-8090

ANO СPilgrimТs CenterТ
119192 Moscow, Michurinsky Prospect, 8/29
Tel: 143-67-51, fax 939-97-67
E-mail: gendirpc@garnet.ru