Moscow Promotes Patriotism with Street Names

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The Moscow municipal government decided to name a new street in the southwest of the city “Battle of Stalingrad Street”, to mark a key victory over Nazi Germany during the VOV. The authorities made their decision on 24 April, following a proposal by Irina Yarovaya, head of the RF Gosduma Security and Anticorruption Committee. Russia commemorated the 70th anniversary of the end of the epic 200-day Battle of Stalingrad on 2 February. The battle began on 17 July 1942 and ended on 2 February 1943 with the surrender of the Axis forces. Around two million people died in the battle on both sides; it became one of the key symbols of victory in Russia.

In the past few years, the Russian leadership has increased its emphasis on patriotism as a national idea capable of consolidating Russian society and inspiring future generations, after Russia suffered a serious blow to its national identity with the collapse of the USSR. In the most recent move, in March, President Vladimir Putin reinstated the Soviet-era Hero of Labour title, scrapped almost two decades ago. The award, established by Iosif Stalin, was widely used to praise civilian workers for their labour achievements and to boost output.

13 May 2013

RIA-Novosti

http://en.rian.ru/russia/20130513/181121620/Moscow-Promotes-Patriotism-With-Street-Names.html

Editor’s Note:

Every day, Russia moves farther and farther away from the liberal (libertarian) lunacy of the Capitalist West, with increasing emphasis on both its Tsarist and Soviet past. That is, Orthodox people should ignore the hate-filled vapourings of such people as Victor Potapov and James Paffhausen… after all, Potapov’s a bought n’ paid for minion of the US government and Paffhausen’s a slobberin’ lickspittle of such Hard Right stink-tanks as the American Enterprise Institute. You can have Christ or you can have Ayn Rand… one of these things is NOT like the other!

BMD

Statement of Pyotr Simonenko, Head of the KPU on Victory Day, 9 May 2013

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Dear veterans! Dear compatriots! I warmly greet you on the Day of the Great Victory!

68 years have passed since that spring when Soviet soldiers hoisted the Red Victory Banner over the Reichstag. In the history of the 20th century, no event was more heroic or glorious. On top of that, it determined the development of mankind for many decades to come; it left an indelible mark on the destiny of the Ukrainian people, which sacrificed the lives of millions of its best sons and daughters on the altar of Victory. There’s probably no family in our country that didn’t suffer bereavement in those terrible years of the Great Patriotic War… they lost loved ones that died a heroic death on the battlefield, or tortured by the Gestapo in their dungeons, or treacherously shot in the back by Bandera’s collaborators, or deported to Nazi captivity.

Defending our socialist motherland, they saved mankind from the Nazi nightmare; Ukrainians, together with all the other fraternal Soviet peoples, performed miracles of courage as brothers, showing their trust in the rightness of their historical path. The Fascists didn’t take into account the fact that when they set foot on Soviet soil, for the first time in the course of the Second World War, they faced people ready to fight to their last drop of blood for their motherland, for their government, for their freedom! From the first days of the war, at a time of defeat and enemy victories on all borders, on all fronts, Communists were in the forefront of those defending our Soviet Motherland on land, in the air, and in underground partisan groups in the backwoods, deep behind the enemy lines. The only desire of every Communist was to be the first one to jump into the attack, and to work harder all the time. Everyone… from private to marshal… equally took notice of Stalin‘s stern and righteous order, “Not one step back!” Of the Communists who went to the front, half of them fell in battle for our Soviet Motherland.

Then, in the midst of the war, the Soviet people mastered the science of winning! They managed to create new weapons to overcome the power of the enemy! They persevered… and won! The Great Patriotic War amply demonstrated the advantages of the socialist planned economy, multiplied by the power of the spirit of the Soviet people. This society of patriots and internationalists, inspired by Lenin‘s ideas, and led by the Communist Party, couldn’t help but defeat fascism.

Good is Always Stronger than Evil!

When we greet the 9 May holiday with tears in our eyes, it isn’t just petty sentiment. After all, it embodies the holy memory of a warrior who recalls his battle comrades who departed into eternity, and the admiration of a grandson for his grandfather’s unsurpassed heroism, and the grief of a widow that once again re-reads the yellowed death notice. It embodies an evident remembrance that time can’t erase. Victory Day is dear to all patriots, to all anti-fascists, to all honest people. This is a true people’s holiday. It’s a feast for the ages! No words can express my wonder at the podvig of our illustrious veterans! Their feat is immortal!

Thank you, Motherland, for what you are!

Soldiers of Victory! Don’t despair… be proud and resolute, as in 1945. However, life’s been hard on the veterans; their wounds hurt and their hearts overflow with sorrow and anger when they see nationalist scum desecrate the graves of their comrades, and pour scorn on the historical truth, mocking the memory and valour of the fallen! I confide to the children of the Victors… you shouldn’t forget for a moment that live next to Heroes… that isn’t only extraordinary and fortunate, it’s also a huge responsibility. Don’t let the Johnny-come-lately collaborator-traitors steal the Victory from the Liberators… who despised death, fighting for the future of their children and grandchildren! Defend them from the coldness of some in the government, as they defended our future from fascism! Don’t let new invaders and burglars take away our gains, change our banners, eliminate our ideals, crush our wills, and suppress our desire for a better life!

Here, Simonenko refers to the Galician Uniate traitors who favour selling out the Ukraine into NATO and the EU. These people want to sell out their motherland to the Western Corporate Moloch in return for boodle for them and their families. Furthermore, they wish to enslave the Orthodox in the Ukraine to the Pope of Rome. One can understand Simonenko’s contempt for such soulless Judases.

On 9 May, we should hold “Parades of the Victors” in all our cities and villages, led by the Red Banner of Victory, with our people holding the portraits of their fathers and grandfathers who gave their lives during the Great Patriotic War, defending their socialist motherland from the Fascist barbarians, and of those who didn’t survive to today’s Victory Day! Let these parades remind all of us… Our cause is just! Victory will be ours!

Glory to the Soviet Soldier-Liberator!

Glory to the Soviet Victor-People! 

Glory to the veterans of the Great Patriotic War!

Eternal memory to the victims!

Dear veterans, its Victory Day! I wish you good health and long life!

7 May 2013

Pyotr Simonenko

First Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of the Ukraine (KPU)

Chairman of the Communist faction in the Ukrainian Verkhovna Rada

KPU official website

http://www.kpu.ua/s-dnem-velikoj-pobedy/

Orthodox Ritual Meets Soviet Custom in Easter Celebrations

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Easter is the main Christian and family-orientated celebration in Russia

This year, Orthodox Christians celebrate Easter on 5 May. This is the most important celebration on the Christian calendar. During Soviet times, taking part in Easter festivities wasn’t encouraged; as a result, Soviet aspects still layer contemporary Russian Easter traditions. Easter festivities begin with a celebratory evening church service, accompanied by a cross procession. During the procession, priests walk around the church counter-clockwise, carrying banners and icons and singing prayers, parishioners join the procession. The popular belief is that when the procession finishes, this marks the end of Great Lent… then, people can eat whatever they please. Amongst the foods enjoyed on Orthodox Easter are Easter eggs, kulich, and “Paskha” (made with drained cottage cheese and raisins). These dishes are “blessed” during the church service. Traditionally, people keep one of the blessed eggs is until the following Easter; people say that the egg won’t rot for the entire year.

Despite the fact that the Soviets forbade many aspects of religion, practically every household still dyed eggs every year. There wasn’t a particular religious meaning attached to this tradition, but Easter was celebrated all the same. Natalia, a pensioner, said, “We had a favourite game, which meant we looked forward to Easter every year. Two people each took an egg and tapped them against each other. The one whose egg remained intact took the cracked one; so, as you went through the village from door to door, you could end up with quite a few. You didn’t necessarily have to eat all the ‘trophy eggs’ though; when we were quite full, we’d simply share the eggs with anyone who wanted them. My family wasn’t religious… my mum was a teacher, and my dad was an electrician and a war veteran. Yet, over the Easter holidays, I’d sneak off to church with my grandmother, where she’d always spoil me with sweets. Of course, I’d always be in trouble with my parents when I got home, for disgracing them”.

One of the traditions associated with the official prohibition of religious celebrations was the Easter custom of visiting cemeteries and tending the graves of relatives who’d passed away. People rarely neglected this traditional duty. After the liberation of the Church, when it began to enjoy government support, important public figures started attending all the main church services. Fr Aleksandr said, “Visiting cemeteries and leaving Easter eggs and cakes was originally a pagan tradition, which started to become popular again during the Soviet era. As it was difficult to practise the Orthodox faith during Soviet times, certain strong superstitions emerged. At Easter, it became essential to go to church. In general, I can say that people in Russia are Orthodox, although not many are in the habit of going to church. However, at Easter, people come to church, even though you’d never see them any other day of the year. Now, wouldn’t you call that a miracle of the Lord?”

After church, it’s time to break the Great Lent fast with a celebratory dinner, which marks both the end of Great Lent and the beginning of the brightest day of the year. However, it’s important to remember that a fast… especially, a strict one… puts serious stress on the body, which means that you must break it gently and gradually. Doctors don’t recommend that you start by eating heavy meat dishes. It’s better to begin with boiled meat and vegetables on the first day (perhaps, some salad and herbs), then, gradually introduce dairy products. Sergei, a computer programmer, said, “In my family, we usually celebrate with my mother-in-law and father-in-law, at their place. For them, this holiday isn’t so much about religion as it is about family. It’s an occasion that brings all their children and grandchildren together around the table. Strangely enough, I tend to miss dairy products much more than meat. I spend all day on Sunday drinking kefir (a fermented milk drink) and eating yoghurt, though not uncontrollably. Everything happens quite calmly, without any fuss; you can see your body has acclimatised to itself to a modest diet due to the fast. In the middle of the day, we have lamb, Paskha, and a little alcohol”.

Of course, on the night before Easter, all the churches are full of people, although, for some “parishioners”, this is just an excuse to drink. Night falls and the whole city is out celebrating… rather like New Year’s, right? Some even swear that they’ve seen people actually handing out glasses and drinking alcohol in the church itself, during the service. Roman, a fire-inspector, said, “Every year I take part in the Easter service; although, admittedly, not as a parishioner, but in the line of service. I make sure there aren’t any emergencies, although, unfortunately, they do occur more often than you might think. On more than one occasion, I’ve had to rescue women whose clothes have caught fire from the candles. All it takes is that an elderly lady in a fluffy scarf holding a candle leans forward… then, suddenly, she’s ablaze. Nowadays, if I ever see someone in a scarf during the service, I go up to them straight away and remind them to be careful”.

The Easter celebrations continue for a whole week after the Resurrection of Christ; celebratory services take place in churches all week long. Even if there are burial services during this time, the ritual itself takes place with a special Easter sermon and a large number of joyful prayers about the miracle of the Resurrection. Easter week also has another unique facet… it’s the only time of year when anyone can ring the church bells. Sergei said, “My children look forward to ringing the bells all year long. We usually get together with friends who have young children and go to church. It’s best to arrive just after the evening service finishes, around seven at night. All that you have to do is to go up to any of the priests and ask, ‘Please, give your blessing that I might ring the bells to the glory of Christ’. I’ve never known a priest to refuse. Ringing the bells gives you an unforgettable feeling. At first, it’s a little difficult, but as you get the hang of it, you understand the rhythm… you can play something more or less intelligible. Moreover, of course, the children are just delighted. The main thing is to keep an eye on the really little ones though, as the bells are still quite high”.

Related:

Getting Ready for Easter

The Easter Tin Hunt

Easter Festival brings music and bell ringing to Moscow

4 May 2013

Vladimir Erkovich

Russia Beyond the Headlines

http://rbth.ru/arts/2013/05/05/easter_mix_orthodox_ritual_meets_soviet_custom_25651.html

Editor’s Note:

Nicky and I laid Easter eggs on “our” graves at Jordanville on Saturday night. Nicky tended the graves of his family members… I guess that this makes us more “Soviet” than “White”. As one can see, the Soviet period wasn’t all darkness… indeed, it burned out all the rot in the Mother Church (it didn’t burn out all the sin… it did burn out all the rot, though). Now, we must do the same here in the diaspora… God DOES will it.

BMD

Boston and Moscow: A Tale of Two Police Forces

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Of all the mayhem that took place last week in Boston, there was an image I willed to stay with me… a photo showing a local police officer in a bulletproof vest, carrying two gallons of milk in a residential area. The caption of the photo, which made the rounds on Facebook over the weekend, read that the officer elected to help a family with small children that was out of milk and stuck at home during the lockdown. As the mother of a small child, I could immediately relate to the horror of being forced to remain at home with an empty fridge. Forget terrorists… the screaming alone would kill you.

As a Moscow resident, I also thought about the image of our own police officers. Several of my Russian friends shared the photo with disdainful comments of their own, messages that amounted to, “Try getting a Moscow cop to do something like THAT during a lockdown. Fat chance”. Of course, one should probably try imposing a lockdown on Moscow and see how that works out (hint: It won’t work out), before one judges. Yet, I understood the sentiment my Russian friends were expressing. In a city like Moscow, authority figures simply can’t appear too caring. It’d go against everything they were taught. It’d make them look soft, possibly vulnerable… and vulnerability is frequently punished.

However, I remembered a story that happened to a former Moscow neighbour of mine a couple of years ago. This story will never go viral on Facebook… and not just because there’s no photographic evidence. Simply put, most people wouldn’t believe it. Yet, as a witness to part of it, I can at least confirm some of the details. This neighbour, an ancient lady of the sort one might describe as “old Soviet intelligentsia”, had a nasty run-in with a member of Moscow’s nouveau riche. He nearly ran her over on a pedestrian crossing in his luxury car, and she injured herself while lunging out of the way. The guy tried to speed off, but ended up losing control of his vehicle and crashing it into a construction fence.

I wasn’t there for the immediate aftermath, but was living in that neighbourhood at the time, and hearing about what had happened, elected to meet her at the police station and walk her home. She didn’t need hospitalisation, but she was badly shaken and, worse still, humiliated by the man who’d nearly run her over. Apparently, he’d screamed at her that it was all her fault, that she was an “old bag” and “too slow”. This may seem shocking, but if you know anything about the Moscow nouveau riche, you wouldn’t be shocked at all. I waited for her from across the street and saw her walk out, shaking, barely able to retain her composure, after giving a statement to the police. There was a little hat with velvet flowers on her head, and the hat alone broke my heart. For an older woman, she’d taken such great pains to always look her best… and here she was, looking fragile and lost, with the hat askew on her gray hair.

As I made my way over to her, an old cop car drove out of the parking lot adjacent to the station, and a policeman inside rolled down his window. He said, “Get in, we’ll drive you home, it’s only a few blocks”. My neighbour asked if I could join, and they nodded, so I got in. On our way back to her building, the two policemen sitting up front consoled this old, lonely woman the best way they knew how. From what I gathered later, they’d witnessed her being berated and humiliated after having been nearly run over by the member of the so-called “elite”… and took umbrage. Therefore, they told stupid jokes, made her laugh, and told her that things would be OK. It was a very short and surreal ride in a Moscow cop car, but I haven’t forgotten it. I haven’t forgotten the officers’ eyes in the rear-view mirror, as they told her that the guy would surely “get his due”.

I never did find out what happened to the guy in question… whether he suffered any consequences, whether he at least had his license suspended, or if he pulled strings and got off scot-free, as people like him frequently do. My neighbour died soon after, when I was away. She had a chronic illness she had taken pains to conceal. Her heirs, who live far away, I didn’t know very well. Nevertheless, I do think about this woman, already in the last weeks of her life, being helped out of that police car and walked all the way to her apartment. I think about those two cops… one older and one younger. They weren’t being heroes that day, but they did act like human beings, which can be heroic in the right kind of context. I hope they’ve continued to act like human beings… and I hope that one day, they too will go viral on Facebook for performing a small act of kindness. If only to remind us that Moscow’s cops can also be kind.

22 April 2013

Natalia Antonova

RIA-Novosti

http://en.rian.ru/columnists/20130422/180786237/Trendwatcher-Boston-and-Moscow-a-tale-of-two-police-forces.html

Editor’s Note:

Nicky and I had an encounter with an “entitled” nouveau riche similar to the one that happened to the old woman in Moscow. We were pulling out of the Russian store on Central Avenue, and a BMW started rolling down the alleyway that provided access to Central Ave. The driver jumped out of the car, and started to scream at us in Russian and English, and you could tell that they considered themselves “better” than the rest of us, and that “their shit didn’t stink”, as the saying has it. They were thoroughly nasty, but you could tell that they thought themselves “oh-so-superior” to the common herd such as us.

Let’s not be coy. Crapitalism encourages such behaviour. After all, they “earned” what they have… and, we, lazy layabouts, didn’t deserve equal (or even decent) treatment. It’s why I oppose people such as Victor Potapov, James Paffhausen, Alexander Webster, Terrence Mattingly, Rod Dreher, and Freddie M-G… they’re cheerleaders for the Affluent Effluent and “Economic Freedom”. Reflect on this… they’d tack up Our Lord a second time, and they’d back Caiphas to the max. Why? After all, you can’t have working-class rabble-rousers stirring up the envious hoi-polloi, can you? It does make you wonder about the Christianity of certain loud “Christian” sorts, doesn’t it? Oh, yes… there was only ONE “educated” Apostle… Judas Iscariot. Think on that one, too… it’s a meaty Lenten meditation (pun intended)…

It won’t last forever… God will NOT be mocked…

BMD