Russian Paralympians at a formal reception at the State Kremlin Palace
Moscow, 29 August 2008 (Interfax):
On Friday, the Russian Paralympians gathered at the Lower Church of the Transfiguration at the Cathedral of Christ the Saviour for a molieben. After the service, Bishop Amvrosy of Bronnitsky communicated the blessing of Patriarch Aleksei II of Moscow and all Russia to the team as they prepared to depart for Beijing. He noted that the molieben for the Paralympians was served in a church that “is a symbol of the victories and of the spiritual revival of Russia. You are shining exemplars of indomitable spirit and dynamic will-power; therefore, we believe that you shall do your best”. Vladyki Amvrosy then gave each of the athletes a small cross and a small icon of St George the all-Victorious. The Paralympians were dressed in their team uniforms for the molieben, and Vladimir Lukin, the President of the Paralympic Committee and Advisor on Human Rights in the RF, and Pavel Rozhkov, the First Vice-President of the Committee and the Head of the Team, were present as well.
Russian Paralympic Team with Prime Minister Vladimir Putin (1952- ) in the State Kremlin Palace
The Paraympic Games (Olympics for the physically-handicapped) in 2008 shall take place in Beijing from 6 to 17 September 2008, 13 days after the closing of the 29th Olympic Games. The Russian National Team consists of 145 members, including 40 Masters of Sport, 29 Masters of Sport (International Class), and 55 trainers.
Interfax-Religion
http://www.interfax-religion.ru/?act=news&div=26263 (in Russian)
Editor’s Note:
The lower church of the Cathedral of Christ the Saviour was chosen as the venue of the molieben due to the fact that wheelchair accessibility is better than in the upper church or in any of the older churches in the Moscow Kremlin.
