Congratulations of His Holiness Patriarch Alexy on opening ‘Russian Abroad’ Library-Foundation

On 2 September 2005, His Holiness the Patriarch greeted the President of A. Solzhenitsyn Foundation N. Solzhenitsyna and Director of the ‘Russian Abroad’ Library Foundation Viktor Moskvin.

To: N.D. Solzhenitsyna

President

Russian Public Foundation of A. Solzhenitsyn

V.A. Moskvin

Director

‘Russian Abroad’ Library-Foundation

Dear Natalya Dmitrievna,

Dear Viktor Aleksandrovich,

I heartily congratulate you, all staff-members, and readers of the ‘Russian Abroad’ Library Foundation on this important event – the opening of a new building.

The work carried out by the Foundation of Alexander Solzhenitsyn and the ‘Russian Abroad’ Library Foundation is very important for Russia. You have collected a priceless treasury of documents reflecting the Russian tragedy of the 20^th century and fruitful work of our compatriots abroad. Memoirs, letters, and scientific works of those who are the pride of Russia survived thanks to your work, but the aim of the Foundation and Library is not only to preserve the heritage of the Russian emigration, but also to make it the common property of our contemporaries and descendants. Spiritual understanding of the events which took place in Russia last century is necessary now when it is ‘time to gather stones together’ (Eccles 3:5), to restore the ruined, and to unite people. The tragic lesson of theomachism should be a warning for next generations.

I hope that this magnificent building constructed with the assistance of the Moscow Mayor Yuri Luzhkov will become a symbol of the unity between Russian emigration and their Motherland, and a center of Russian science and culture.

I wish all the participants God’s help in their work for the welfare of Russia.

+Alexy,

Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia