Voices from Russia

The Rt Rev Rowan Williams (1950- ), Archbishop of Canterbury, titular head of the Anglican Communion

The Lambeth Conference of the Anglican Communion now being held in England is considered by the Moscow Patriarchate to be a historic event. This decennial Anglican conclave shall be in session from 16 July to 4 August, and some 1,000 Anglican bishops from all over the world are attending it as voting delegates. The Lambeth Conference is a kind of ecumenical assembly for the Anglican Communion, an influential branch of world Protestantism. The conference is held regularly every 10 years and discusses the most vital issues facing the contemporary Protestant and Christian world. “In the last decade, since numerous changes took place in the understanding of Christian values everywhere in the world, the importance of the current assembly of Anglican bishops can hardly be overestimated”, according to Fr Igor Vyzhanov, a spokesman for the MP.

He continued, “The conference is discussing issues that provoke heated discussion in the Anglican Communion and in the Christian world as a whole. Today, the Anglican Communion, indeed, the Protestant world in general, is on the verge of a serious split. In particular, the question causing the most heated debate is the one concerning the church’s attitude to homosexuality. Unfortunately, at present, an extremely liberal trend is prevailing in Protestantism. Notably, this is manifested in a tolerant attitude to vices that are unambiguously condemned in the Holy Scriptures. The debate centres on the ordination of openly-declared homosexuals to the episcopal dignity, the blessing of homosexual unions by the Church, and the tolerance of other actions that Church teachings have always called sinful. Those Christians who desire to follow the teachings of the Holy Scriptures and follow traditional Christian teachings on such things, naturally, must reject such ‘tolerance’”. 

The decisions adopted at the Lambeth Conference are extremely important for the MP. The history of relations between Russian Orthodoxy and Anglicanism goes back to the 16th century. In the intervening period, warm and mutually-respectful relations formed between these two Christian churches. Yet, in recent years, when Anglican bishops began to deviate more and more from traditional Christian values, and approved of sins and supported vices, the MP virtually severed relations with this Christian confession.

This year, not only Anglican bishops, but, also representatives of other Christian churches, were invited to take part in this Anglican conference. The MP is represented by Bishop Hilarion Alfeyev of Vienna and Austria. Patriarch Aleksei II of Moscow and all Russia also forwarded an address to the Anglican conclave. “The participants bear an enormous historical responsibility, for they must decide between a traditional and Biblical interpretation of Christian morals and a tendency that mistakes sin and permissiveness for demonstrations of love and tolerance. The decisions of the Lambeth conference are extremely important not only for the future of this confession, but, for the entire Christian world, as well”. In conclusion, Patriarch Aleksei said, “All of us, Orthodox Christians, those of other Christian confessions, together with those from all other religions, must restore the moral and spiritual awareness concerning the life of every person in the world. The future of the entire earth depends upon this”. 

24 July 2008

Voice of Russia World Service

http://www.ruvr.ru/main.php?lng=rus&q=77976&cid=22&p=24.07.2008 (in Russian) 

I have never felt so apprehensive about an event in the Church as I do concerning Saturday in Kiev. Mind you, I would be extremely pleased if “nothing happened”. Please, God, let that be the result. Unfortunately, I fear that is not going to be so. If Bart does anything as silly as recognising the schismatic Ukrainian bodies, it shall toss a match onto a standing pool of petrol. All this week, he has been playing with matches, pretending to be the “universal patriarch” (how bloody silly, the Church has NEVER had such an office, it’s why we kicked the Pope of Rome out!), and puffing himself up silly.

If Bart recognises the schismatics Kudryakov and Denisenko, the end result shall be a rupture in communion with the MP. Metropolitan Vladimir of Kiev would demand such, and Patriarch Aleksei would defer to him. Vladyki Vladimir, speaking through his aide Archimandrite Kirill Govorun, has made it clear that ANYTHING concerning the Ukrainian Church MUST pass through his hands, as he is the only canonical First Hierarch in the country, and Bart does not have the authority to change that. The Ukraine is not the canonical territory of the EP, it is under the omophor of the MP.

In short, we have a horrific situation facing us. I repeat, I fervently hope that Black Bart retreats from the precipice. I sincerely pray that nothing happens. However, the signs are there for those of us who know the church situation all too well. If Black Bart stabs the Holy Church of Moscow in the back, if he spits in the faces of Metropolitan Vladimir Sabodan and Patriarch Aleksei Rediger, there shall be hell to pay. The MP has put up with much from this Vatican and American sock-puppet, and this would be the end of it, I think.

Interestingly, I think the Pope of Rome is innocent in this particular potboiler, for I believe that Benedict sincerely wishes good relations with us. He knows that such an event would smear him, so, I think that he has actually been trying to restrain Bart. I fear that he is going to fail, because there are people in the US State Department who have encouraged Bart into thinking that he can have an extraterritorial enclave in Istanbul, just as the Pope has an enclave in Rome. Of course, the Turks would nix it. However, we all know that people have the capacity to believe the most foolish things. After all, aren’t there those who believe in Mormonism? I rest my case (magical spectacles and “Reformed Egyptian”, indeed!).

I fear that there is going to be a noxious brew cooked up by Bart, Viktor Yushchenko, and Condoleeza Rice. All of us are going to gag upon it. In conclusion, I would pray that Bart pulls back. I am praying for the best and preparing for the worst. I fear that is the only thing that any of us can do. Dear Lord, save Thy Church from this, if Thou willest. If not, send us the strength to endure what we must.

These are the saddest words I have ever written… why did we live to see such?

Vara Drezhlo

Thursday 24 July 2008

Addendum:

I should, perhaps, make clear that what worries is not so much Bart’s posturing, for Orthodox are well-used to his hubristic antics, but, the actions of Viktor Yushchenko and his American puppeteer, Condoleeza Rice. Yushchenko invited Bart without asking His Holiness, as protocol demands, and posters with Yushchenko and Bart are plastered all over Kiev, whilst those of His Holiness are banned. Bart may indeed have the good-sense to try to keep his mouth shut, but Yushchenko may very well commit him to an action in public. This is what is so worrisome, because Yushchenko is an unbalanced individual who believes his own propaganda. In this lies the danger…

Yuri Shevchuk (1950- ), front-man of the Russian rock band DDT

Kiev, 24 July 2008 (Interfax):

Yuri Shevchuk, the front-man of the rock-band DDT, is confident that the final concert of the rock tour in honour of the 1,020^th anniversary of the Baptism of Russia shall take place as planned, despite all the obstacles placed in its path. “That is how the millennium-long battle between good and evil goes”, he said in an interview in the Ukrainian edition of Komsomolskaya Pravda (Komsomol Truth), commenting on attempts of the pro-Western government to transfer or even ban the rock concert. Mr Shevchuk explained other attempts “to place a spoke between the wheels” of the rock tour by the fact that “some political factions do not wish this to go on” because the tour centres on “the love and harmony shared by Russians and Ukrainians”.

He has no doubts whatsoever that the concert in Kiev shall take on 26 July, just as it was planned from the very beginning. “The concert shall take place, if not at the original venue, then, somewhere else. That’s normal. Why shouldn’t it take place? All we are doing is calling for love and harmony”, Mr Shevchuk said. He showed no reaction when asked about the rumours that Yushchenko is an enemy of Russian rock music. “Well, God go with him (Yushchenko: Interfax). I can tell you that thousands of cultured Kievans love Russian rock”, Mr Shevchuk noted.

Interfax-Religion

http://www.interfax-religion.ru/?act=news&div=25658 (in Russian)

Editor’s Note:

The choice of Yuri Shevchuk as the main rocker in the tour was an inspired choice. He is not a supporter of Vladimir Putin, but, as Fr Andrei Kuraev said, Russia is a powerful and confident country, and Yuri Shevchuk’s political opinions do not harm her. In any case, Fr Andrei was certain that he is a patriot. Events have borne this out. Russia is not afraid of differing opinions, but, the Orangies are afraid of such, so, all things being equal, if Russia is strong and confident, then, the Orangies are weak and fearful. Somewhat different from the CNN propaganda line, no?

If the Orangies DO ban the concert, it shall prove to the world what totalitarians they truly are. Bush and Rice support such… they implicate YOU in their crime if you stay silent. SPEAK OUT. What has happened to free speech in America?

Do not forget that the Orangies in the Ukraine are the spiritual descendants of those who said,”All Jews to the gallows”. Never again. Never forget the role of the OUN and UPA in all of this. 

Kiev, 23 July 2008 (Interfax):

Representatives of the Odessa Jewish community asked Ukrainian Prime Minister Yulia Timoshenko to stop construction work on a site in Tolbukhin Street because traces of a mass grave were discovered. Boleslav Kapulkin, the Jewish community press secretary, said on Wednesday that the remains discovered during the construction work are from a mass grave of Jews shot during the Nazi occupation in autumn 1941. The police are not confirming this information; they have not yet received the results of forensic examinations on the remains. 

“To construct a building on a site where you disturb the bones [of those killed by the Nazis] wherever you dig cannot not be anything other than a blasphemy and an insult to the memory of the victims”, according to an open letter of the local Chabad Jewish community. Rav Avraam Wolf, the Chief Rabbi of Odessa and Southern Ukraine, is amongst the signers. “Nevertheless, it is an evident and obvious truth that there are those who know, in fact, that this land is a mass grave. This does not stop them, they wish to build on all sites that they believe are idle”, the letter said. “To demonstrate to the world that the Ukraine is a truly civilised state, only a few things are required. We must find the wrongfully-removed remains, then, the Jewish community can give them dignified burial. Finally, we must forbid any future construction on this site and give it the status of a mass grave”, the letter noted. 

In October 1941, artillery ordnance dumps were located in the Tolbukhin Square area in Odessa. Over several days, German and Romanian soldiers shot over 25,000 people near their barracks. The overwhelming majority of victims were Jews, both from Odessa and refugees from Bessarabia. Furthermore, Russian POWs were killed there as well. 

Interfax-Religion

http://www.interfax-religion.ru/judaism/?act=news&div=25623 (in Russian)

Editor’s Note:

This would not have happened in Russia, as it is an overtly Orthodox state. Yushchenko has sold out to American corporate interests, and he apes their godless “pragmatism”. Note well that the Jewish community did not address themselves to Yushchenko, for they know that he only listens to Americans, Uniates, and western corporate interests. Interesting, no? 

The Dog of the Phanar hears His Master’s Voice. Bartholomew wishes to crush us under the papal boot. Il’s ne paserant pas! They shall not pass! 

Moscow, 24 July 2008 (Interfax):

EP Patriarch Bartholomew recently held a meeting with the leaders of the two main schismatic bodies in the Ukraine, Philaret Denisenko of the so-called “Patriarchate of Kiev” (UOC-KP) and Mefody Kudryakov of the so-called “Ukrainian Autocephalous Orthodox Church” (UAOC). Archimandrite Kirill Govorun, the head of the Department of External Church Relations of the UAOC (MP), stated to our Interfax-Religion correspondent, “According to information that has not been widely-disseminated, Bartholomew met with [Denisenko and Kudryakov] in his residence in Istanbul in mid-July”. He reminded us that several days after the alleged meeting, a so-called “Archpastoral Council of the self-proclaimed UOC-KP stated that the “canonical” status of this schismatic body had been accepted by the EP, and that Istanbul would assist it.

Fr Kirill also told us one additional remarkable detail. On the eve of the 1,020^th anniversary of the Baptism of Russia, Bartholomew (without consulting the UAOC (MP) or the MP: editor’s note) sent invitations (!) to the heads of all the Local Orthodox Churches to participate in the coming festivities. In addition, he gave a “press conference” in Istanbul, claiming to give the details of the forthcoming celebration in the Ukraine. This is interesting, given the fact that both the MP and other Local Orthodox Churches repeatedly asked Bartholomew to end his interference in Ukrainian church affairs, as it is the recognised canonical territory of the MP.

In turn, Oleg Sheludchenko, the deputy chairman of the Union of Orthodox Citizens of the Ukraine, told our correspondent that the present meddling by the EP in the internal matters of the Orthodox Church in the Ukraine is precisely the same as its actions in the 1920s. “It recognised the Bolshevik-inspired Renovationist schism, but the MP, headed by Patriarch St Tikhon, even though it was in a weaker position than it is today, gathered its forces and prevailed. The contrived Renovationist schism, in spite of its ‘recognition’ by the EP, was defeated within six months, mainly because the Reds lost interest in it. The same shall happen with the Ukrainian schismatics because they exist only because of political support. If they lose such support, they shall disperse just as rapidly. When the government interference in church life ends, the schism shall dissipate without any separation of the UAOC (MP) from the MP”, he said.

Interfax-Religion

http://www.interfax-religion.ru/?act=news&div=25646 (in Russian)

Editor’s Note:

Bartholomew is taking stupid pills. Or, is he is smokin’ some “bad-ass weed” (who’s your supplier, and what’s the price, Bart?)? Bart was not intended to be part of this festival. He was invited by the khokhol Yushchenko, not by any church figure. He “invited” the heads of the churches to Kiev? Anyone who believes that is a lunatic. I would say to all Roman Catholics, if you believe a word that issues from the dog in the Phanar (or from his cur, Ioannis Zizoulas), you are fools, and I say so openly. Church union is not near; it has been pushed back even further by the antics of Black Bart. If you value the friendship of Russian Orthodox people, you shall condemn this popinjay. If not, you made your own bed. Do NOT complain to me of the lumpy mattress.

Metropolitan Vladimir Sabodan of Kiev and all the Ukraine (1935- ), the First Hierarch of the UAOC (MP), the only canonical First Hierarch in the Ukraine, a TRUE CONFESSOR of Church Unity

Moscow, 24 July 2008 (Interfax):

The Holy Synod of the Ukrainian Autonomous Orthodox Church (MP) asked Patriarch Bartholomew of Istanbul to stop interfering in its affairs. “The Ukrainian Orthodox Church is capable of resolving its internal problems on its own. Moreover, ‘assistance’ from other Local Churches should not become interference in the inner life of our Church”, according to an address to Patriarch Bartholomew adopted at an extraordinary session of the UAOC (MP) Holy Synod and cited on the MP official website. 

The Holy Synod states that all proposals on overcoming the church schism in the country must be coordinated with the UAOC (MP) as it is the “only recognised Orthodox Church in the Ukraine” that is a canonical part of a Local Church. Furthermore, the UAOC (MP) Synod states that interference by the government and various political and public forces is also undesirable as it always results in “serious conflicts that may take many years to overcome”.

The address to Patriarch Bartholomew stressed that the history of the EP over the last few centuries “showed how political interference in church matters resulted in harmful church divisions. The present situation in the Ukraine is not an exception. Specifically, interference by political forces [in the inner life of the church] led to the current schism”, the UAOC (MP) Holy Synod noted. Metropolitan Kirill of Smolensk and Kaliningrad, the head of the MP Department for External Church Relations, also participated in the Synod session at the express invitation of Metropolitan Vladimir of Kiev. 

Interfax-Religion

http://www.interfax-religion.ru/?act=news&div=25634 (in Russian)

Editor’s Note:

This is shaping up as the “story of the year”, if not the decade. If left unchecked, the actions of the EP shall result in a church-wide schism with the MP and all loyal Orthodox on the one hand and the EP and all disloyal Uniate-leaning “Orthodox” on the other. This bids fair not to be pretty at all, and I, for one, do not wish to see it. However, there are things “not for sale”, and those who believe in “peace at any price” are fools. There are ignorant Anglo-Saxon converts who reproach me for reporting the news. Reporters do not cause events, they merely report them. “If you talk about it, it will happen!” they wail. All mature people can see that as juvenile carping.

However, the main result of this split in the US and Canada shall be to illustrate that, despite all the noise, there has been no progress towards “pan-Orthodox unity”. The coming schism shall, at least, allow us to bury this disgusting fiction, which is believed only by a few pseudo-intellectuals and airy-fairy converts. What DOES exist is good-will amongst clergy and laity of various groups, no small item, indeed, but, it is NOT incipient Church Unity (that is some centuries in the distance, I fear). 

Cadet schools in present-day Russia began to re-appear 15 years ago, in the early 1990s. The first such school was set up in the city of Novocherkassk in Russia’s south which is believed to be the capital of Cossacks on the River Don. Later, the first cadet school appeared in Moscow. At present there are over 100 cadet schools in the country, and an ever greater number of children dream of becoming cadets. A prototype of the cadet schools was the Mathematics and Navigation School opened by Russian Tsar Pyotr I in the 18th century. The tsar, when he founded the Russian navy, realised it needed well-trained engineers and experts in navigation. That school gave rise to specialised engineer and artillery educational establishments. Those were the beginning of the cadet system of Russian education.

After the 1917 October Revolution, all cadet schools were closed down, and many of their students and graduates, who were mostly opposed to Soviet rule, emigrated abroad. In 1922, the number of cadets residing abroad was some 2,000. The president of the Russian Cadet Foundation, Boris Iordan, whose father was a cadet, believed that the cadets of the old school were guided by their instinct in their wish to return home without losing their traditions; the most important being honour and dignity in service to the Motherland. Finally, their dream came true.

Mr Iordan said, “At present, there are more than 100 cadet schools in Russia, more than in 1917. More children attend such schools, so, this undertaking is supported by the Federal authorities, by the president and governors. Earlier, we thought that cadet schools are an insignificant movement. Yet, it grew into a full-blooded independent part of the Russian system of education, part of the Russian culture, and part of the up-bringing of the younger generation”.

According to Mr Iordan, today, the Russian system of cadet education is one of the best in the world. Young people receive an excellent education. This summer, the best students from the Russian cadet schools made a trip to the city of Belaya Tserkov in Serbia. The cadets gathered here after the 1917 Revolution and the advent to power of the Bolsheviks. It is thought that a majority of the cadets emigrated there. Together with Serb teenagers, Russian cadets contributed to the restoration of the Russian cadet cemetery and made improvements to the Russian Cadets Square. This was not a one-time action.

Colonel-General Valery Manilov, the chairman of the Russian Cadet Society, said, “We maintain close relations with cadet organisations in 7 countries, including Byelorussia, the United States, France, and Israel. We cooperate with all serious cadet organisations everywhere; we take part in congresses and various cultural events”. With every passing year, the prestige of cadet schools in Russia is growing. At present the competition ratio is very high for cadet schools in Moscow, there are 25 applicants for every open slot.

22 July 2008

Voice of Russia World Service

http://www.ruvr.ru/main.php?lng=eng&q=29927&cid=59&p=21.07.2008 (in English)

The Russia Tower, one of the building projects currently underway in Moscow

The right sorts of preconditions exist for the transformation of Moscow into a centre of the global financial system. But, some things remain to be done for the creation of the proper infrastructure and the development of financial instruments. Moscow is quite capable of turning into a marketplace where sellers of money meet with their customers, those who need money and sell securities. The level of the infrastructure is advancing faster than ever, new business centres are being built, the quality of services is improving, and business is brisk when it comes to hotels. Capital investors will flock to Moscow once the Russian rouble starta to play a bigger role in international financial operations.

Sergei Vasiliyev, a board member of the Russian bank for foreign trade, the Vneshekonombank, sees some progress in this field. “The rouble is now a highly-trusted currency unit; it is about to turn into an international currency unit. It became convertible about two years ago, and, although it was unable to turn into a reserve currency unit immediately, it became an internationally-accepted currency. It is used in international trade. If a Russian bank gets a Euro or dollar loan abroad, a western bank can easily convert it into roubles. This is what happens now, but, could never happen before. In other words, western banks keep their books in roubles, meaning that the rouble is turning into an instrument of the global financial system”.

As a centre of the global financial system, Moscow will start attracting foreign, as well as domestic, business companies. There will be no need for the domestic companies to trade at foreign stock exchanges, and foreigners will appreciate its offer of money, not Russian money, but, money that comes from the world marketplace. Mr Vasiliyev said that the sale of Russian securities in London does not mean that Russian businesses buy British money. It is money from the world marketplace. The same holds true with regard to Moscow.

If this city turns into an international centre, it will play host to those who buy foreign currency. For a city to be a centre of the global financial system, it has to broker business deals. Foreign investors and emitters alike come here. If this is where they meet, the brokering fees would be pocketed by Moscow. This is what it is all about, the acquisition of money. But, image-making makes an equally important aspect of this venture. A centre of the global financial system raises confidence in the financial system, and it puts the limelight on its prowess and potential. 

22 July 2008

Voice of Russia World Service

http://www.ruvr.ru/main.php?lng=eng&q=29987&cid=57&p=22.07.2008 (in English)

The foreign ministers of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation will meet in Dushanbe on 25 July ahead of an SCO summit, due in August at the same venue. Briefing reporters on the Dushanbe meeting’s agenda, Andrei Nesterennko, the Foreign Ministry’s official spokesman, said the ministers would discuss international contacts and the expansion of the SCO, proceeding from its openness to broad and mutually profitable cooperation with other countries and international structures. The Afghan issue will receive special attention since Afghanistan remains the main source of drug and terrorist threats to the SCO member-states. Also, the ministers will exchange views on various aspects of the situation in the region and in the world.

The Shanghai Cooperation Organisation is a multi-functional non-bloc regional association comprising Russia, China, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan. It’s not a military alliance and doesn’t threaten anyone. The SCO is open to cooperation with all international structures that share its goals, namely maintaining regional peace and stability; expanding mutual trade, economic, humanitarian, and cultural ties; the mutual enrichment of national cultures and traditions; and coordinated efforts in answering new challenges and threats such as international terrorism, religious fanaticism, ethnic separatism, drug trafficking, and arms smuggling… goals that are worthy of respect and have earned the SCO worldwide recognition. It has observer status in the United Nations and established close business contacts with the ASEAN, the European Union, the Organisation of the Islamic Conference, and other international organizations. Mongolia, India, Iran, and Pakistan are associate members in the SCO. Accession criteria are currently being reviewed to provide for the admission of new members.

23 July 2008

Albert Papoyan

Voice of Russia World Service

http://www.ruvr.ru/main.php?lng=eng&q=30044&cid=56&p=23.07.2008 (in English)

Editor’s Note:

Russian scuttlebutt has it that Russia wishes to give full-member status to Iran, then, Russia and the PRC can give overt security guarantees to prevent threatened US and Israeli strikes there. Such military action is foolhardy in the extreme and pointless, and proposed strikes have been criticised by such responsible US figures as former UN Ambassador John Bolton and Admiral Michael Mullen (the head of the Joint Chiefs of Staff). Neither one of these men is a rad-lib wussy (for their bravery in speaking out, they deserve to be called MEN, in all-caps).

Bush and Rice must be restrained from juvenile bomb-tossing here. The consequences are too horrific to contemplate…