Patriarch Alexy headed an opening ceremony of the ‘Pravoslavnaia Rus’ exhibition
3.02.2003 · English
PATRIARCH ALEXY HEADED AN OPENING CEREMONY OF THE
‘PRAVOSLAVNAIA RUS’ EXHIBITION
An opening ceremony of the ‘Pravoslavnaia Rus’ and ‘Saint Petersburg: 300 Years of Spiritual History’ exhibitions was held on 3 January 2003. The exhibitions were organized with the blessing of His Holiness Patriarch Alexy II of Moscow and All Russia, who is the Chairman of the ‘Pravoslavnaia Rus’ Board of Trustees. The organizing committee is headed by Metropolitan Kirill of Smolensk and Kaliningrad, Chairman of the Department for External Church Relations.
Among the participants of the official ceremony were Patriarch Alexy, Patriarch Ignatios IV of Antioch and All East, who has come to Russia on an official visit. The Primates of the fraternal Orthodox Churches were accompanied by Metropolitan Philaret of Minsk and Slutsk, Patriarchal Exarch of All Byelorussia, and Metropolitan Kirill of Smolensk and Kaliningrad, Chairman of the Department for External Church Relations of the Moscow Patriarchate. Among the guests also were Archbishop Clement of Kaluga and Borovsk, DECR MP deputy chairman, Archbishop Yevgeny of Vereya, Chairman of the Educational Committee of the Russian Orthodox Church, vicar of the Diocese of Moscow, many hierarchs and clerics, including the heads of the Synodal Departments of the Moscow Patriarchate, governing diocesan bishops, father-superiors and abbots of the monasteries represented at the exhibition.
Among the participants were Valentina I. Matvienko, deputy chairman of the RF government, Vladimir B. Rushailo, Secretary of the Security Council of the Russian Federation, Ilia I. Klebanov, Vladimir A. Yakovlev, St.Petersburg Mayor, other representatives of federal legal and executive authorities of Russia and governing bodies of Moscow and St. Petersburg, and prominent public figures.
Patriarch Alexy said in his opening speech: ‘This extensive exposition represents the life of our Church and shows the first blessed results of her revival. It is evident today even to a skeptic that our bishops, clergymen, monks and laymen have not worked in vain. Their work included the spreading of the word of God and the revival of church architecture and other church arts and crafts, spiritual enlightenment of the nation and the education of the young generation, publishing and informational activity and the ordering of family life, as well as social ministry and charity. It is a very comforting fact that respectful partnership between the Church, state and society develops in every field.
People in Russia and other CIS countries work for the welfare of their earthy Fatherland to the glory of God. The fruits of their work differs as the talents God has abundantly given to our people are also different: ‘each has his own special gift from God, one of one kind and one of another’ (1 Cor 7, 7)
It is a symbolic fact that the ‘St. Petersburg: 300 Years of Spiritual Culture’ exhibition opens here at Gostiny Dvor at the same time. The Northern capital has been an important center of church life for two centuries. Original Orthodox culture of the city of St. Peter, its particular role played for Russia and its openness to the world are represented in this show-room in the very center of Moscow thus connecting our two historical capitals.
We hear from time to time that Orthodoxy is incompatible with material prosperity and creative freedom. On the contrary, the centuries-old experience of Orthodox civilization shows that human activity based on the eternal, God-granted moral standards brings material abundance, fills the hearts with joy and peace, makes human life harmonic and helps people to serve their neighbors.
Our fathers remembered the words from a Psalm: ‘Unless the Lord builds the house, those who build it labour in vain’ (Ps 127:1). The comprehension of this truth determined the life of people in all realms and created the richest Christian culture in our land. May the ‘Pravoslavnya Rus’ be a visible witness to the continuity of spiritual tradition and aspirations of Orthodox Christians for spiritual perfection and transformation of the world. The exhibits will show the visitors the revival of the Church, while clergymen, monks, nuns and laymen from different dioceses of our Church will tell them about it.
Everything represented here shows that the Orthodox way of life again becomes a life standard for many of our fellow citizens. It is no longer limited within church walls and churchyards’.
Patriarch Alexy, Valentina Matvienko and Vladimir Yakovlev solemnly cut the red band. Then the high guests and accompanying persons viewed the exposition.
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