Conference on Orthodoxy and Socio-moral guidelines of society held in Tallinn
10.02.2003 · English
CONFERENCE ON ORTHODOXY AND SOCIO-MORAL GUIDELINES OF SOCIETY HELD IN TALLINN
A conference on Orthodoxy and Socio-Moral Guidelines of Society opened in Tallinn on February 4, 2003. It was organized in the framework of the European Inter-Parliamentary Assembly of Orthodoxy in cooperation with the International Foundation for Unity of Orthodox Nations and the Parliament of the Estonian Republic.
Among the participants in the conference were representatives of state authorities, deputies of national parliaments, political, religious, and public figures from 16 countries including Russia, Ukraine, Estonia, Latvia, Kazakhstan, Armenia, and Georgia, as well as representatives of the Council of Europe and the European Commission.
A message of greetings from His Holiness Patriarch Alexy II of Moscow and All Russia was read to the participants and guests of the international church and state forum. The text of the message is given below.
The participants of the conference was also greeted by the primates of Bulgarian, Georgian and Polish Orthodox Churches, A. Ruiter, President of the Estonian Republic, G. Seleznev, Chairman of the State Duma, V. Popov, Chairman of the People’s Assembly of Byelorussia, A. Khachaturian, V. Matvienko, Deputy Chairman of the Russian Government, S. Papatemelis, Secretary General of the European Parliamentary Assembly of Orthodoxy, other state, public, and religious figures of the CIS, Baltic states, Central and Eastern Europe.
Mr. Seleznev said, ‘The theme of the conference appears to be especially acute against the background of growing political tension in the world and the threat of a collapse of people’s social foundations in the whole realm of Eastern Christian spiritual tradition’. Today Europe stands in an acute need of spiritual reflection on the integration processes, he thinks.
The range of issues discussed ‘is very much concordant with the priorities of Russian governmental bodies. They are: people’s social security, preservation and strengthening of cultural unity between nations, increasing the quality of education, revival of traditional spiritual values in the educational process’, Matvienko’s message reads.
Metropolitan Cornilius of Tallinn and All Estonia opened the meeting. The presentations on the main theme were made by the President of the European Parliamentary Assembly of Orthodoxy, V. Zorkaltsev, Chairman of the State Duma Committee for Public Associations and Religious Organizations, and V. Alekseev, President of the Foundation for Unity of Orthodox Nations.
It was noted that the aggravation of the problems in economic and social spheres and international relations is caused, among other things, by the spiritual and moral crisis of modern society. In this connection concern was expressed for the statements of some European politicians, who advocate rejection of traditional religious, moral and social values in favour of the integration processes and growth of economic potential of society.
The participants paid special attention to the regional and local military conflicts that tend to aggravate in the course of the globalization. The speakers admitted that it is impossible to build up new international relations on the bases of military, political and economic power only, without considering the existing national and religious diversity.
The participants and guests approved of the Estonian authorities’ actions to normalize the legal status of the Estonian Orthodox Church of the Patriarchate of Moscow, which is one of the major religious organizations in the country.
After the first plenary session the participants met with Metropolitan Cornilius and a group of Orthodox deputies of the Estonian parliament.
The second day of the conference began with a visit to Stauropigial Monastery of the Holy Assumption in Pukhtitsa. In the afternoon the conference adopted a final document at its second plenary session.
To the organizers, benefactors, participants and guests
of the Conference on Orthodoxy and Socio-Moral Guidelines of Society
Tallinn, Estonia
February 4-5, 2003
Dear organizers, benefactors, participants and guests of the International Conference,
I heartily greet you on the occasion of the opening of your conference! Such a representative and authoritative assembly held on the threshold of the Meeting of Our Lord Jesus Christ – a great sacral meeting of man with God – is very symbolic in the context of the theme you have chosen for your discussion, which is dedicated to the development of the human community in the paradigm of high demands of the Christian social ministry.
The Holy Scripture teaches us that it is only observance of the blessed commandments of God that can give humanity reliable prospects for saving existence. The Church always proclaims to people, both the powers that be and ordinary people, that without God, without observing His commandments, no earthy wealth or power can bring real happiness or lead to spiritual harmony or give the desired fullness of life. The social and moral guidelines of humanity, today as ever, should comply with the saving commandments of the Lord.
Today’s world, at present as never before, needs the unceasing preaching of the life-giving word of God that brings love, consolation and hope to every human heart. ‘That the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work’ (2 Tim 3:17), said St. Paul.
The Christian Church has carried the burden of social ministry from the very beginning. Today she cares for the people’s needs and bears witness to the great responsibility of rulers before God, people and history. The Church supports the efforts of the authorities in every good and spiritually useful undertaking, stands for their consolidation and strengthening. It is important and gratifying that in this noble field of social ministry the Church works together with people’s elected representatives – the deputies of national parliaments in European countries who came to the traditional meeting in Estonia, where Orthodox communities have canonically existed from time immemorial and have effectively cooperated with various Christian confessions for the moral improvement of society.
We approve this new initiative of the Foundation for Unity of Orthodox Nations that continuously cares for the development of the movement of Orthodox parliamentarians and wish to all the participants fruitful work and all-generous help of God for the sake of the blessed future of our countries and nations.
May the Lord save you!
+ PATRIARCH ALEXY OF MOSCOW AND ALL RUSSIA
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