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Address of Patriarch Alexis of Moscow and all Russia at the Opening of the Fourth Orthodox Russia All-Church Exhibition

30.05.2006 · Архив 2005-2009, Документы  

Your Eminences and Graces
Dear representatives of Russian Federation and Moscow City authorities
Reverend Fathers
Beloved brothers and sisters,

Christ is Risen!

It is for several years that the Gostiny Dvor exhibition centre has hosted the Orthodox Russia All-Church Exhibition. Its programme has been developing and this year it’s become a real Orthodox forum, which includes a musical festival, an art contest, conferences, discussions, round tables and other events attracting thousands of people.

Forum is an open talk ground. The Church is open not exclusively for those who has already found their place inside its saving walls but also for those who are still looking for a way to God. Indeed we still can feel a heavy legacy of the atheistic decades. But here we can see that a new turning of people to Christ, to their fathers’ faith is taking place throughout all our land. It is a great miracle of God’s love, which comes into our hearts and heals our inner sicknesses. The Scripture says, ‘By mercy and truth iniquity is purged: and by the fear of the Lord men depart from evil’ (Proverbs 15:6). Being strong in faith and God-commanded active love brings the human being back to his or her Godlike dignity and makes life better.

It is impossible not to be glad at the fruits of church work present here. They include witnesses of monastic and parochial life, as well as missionary, educational, public efforts of our bishops, priests and lay people; many Orthodox books, periodicals, audio, video and software; church craftspeople products. They also include information stands telling us stories of cooperation between the Church and state, public and business institutions.

Social work has become one of the main issues of the exhibition this year. St John of Kronstadt says, ‘Every sincere good deed makes our heart joyful, if we remember we are made in the image of God and have spark of divine light and love in us.’ The tradition of selfless serving one’s neighbour is being restored now, which is witnessed by a special section of the exhibition.

The art contest exhibition ‘From Old Rus to New Russia’ reminds us of the vitality if the Orthodox spiritual tradition, which has been our compatriots’ inspiration for centuries. The musical festival, in which various music styles, including modern compositions, are present, witnesses that a believing heart cannot but praise the Lord. Deepness and spiritual strength of the Christian art call us on to remember that the human being should collaborate with God transforming the world. It is especially essential for young people who muse on the meaning of life and have to choose their ways of life.

I thank the exhibition organizing committee headed by His Eminence Metropolitan Kirill of Smolensk and Kaliningrad for their work. I express my appreciation to Russian and Moscow authorities as well as to all involved in the Orthodox Russia exhibition preparation. I am grateful to all of you who are here to present the fruits of your work and your creativity.

May I declare the Fourth Orthodox Russia All-Church Exhibition opened. May God’s help be always with you, my dear. May this day of the visible celebration of the Church of Christ bring to all people hope of everlasting triumph in the Kingdom of Heaven, when, as Prophet Isaiah says, ‘Shall the branch of the Lord be beautiful and glorious, and the fruit of the earth shall be excellen.’