Precious Religious Relic to come to Russia this Autumn from Mount Athos

For the first time in history, one of the most holy Orthodox relics, the Belt of the Most Holy Mother of God, will come to Russia. Interfax quoted Vladimir Yakunin, the President of the Dialogue of Civilisations Forum, the head of Russian Railways, and the head of the Centre of National Glory Foundation, as the source of this information. He said that the Holy Synod of Mount Athos agreed to bring to Russia one of the greatest Orthodox relics, the Belt of the Most Holy Mother of God. “It’ll be a great and joyful event for all Orthodox believers in Russia”, Yakunin said. He expects that the relic will be in Russia in October. The Belt of the Most Holy Mother of God is on Holy Mount Athos, at Vatopedi Monastery, it’s famous for scores of miracles. Many believers wear blessed cloths that were placed upon the Belt, and numerous women with this-or-that infirmity received healing due to wearing these holy cloths.

23 July 2011

Voice of Russia World Service

http://rus.ruvr.ru/2011/07/23/53626457.html

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Condolences of His Holiness Patriarch Kirill Gundyaev of Moscow and all the Russias to His Majesty King Harald V of Norway on the Occasion of the Terrorist Attack on Oslo and Utøya Island

Light a candle for them tomorrow, if you would… it’s the least that you can do…

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Your Majesty!

It was with great sorrow that I learned of the terrible terrorist attacks in the capital of Norway, as well as on Utøya Island. Please, accept my sincere condolences on behalf of all the faithful of the Patriarchate of Moscow and all the Russias, which, in these tragic days, prayerfully share the suffering of the Norwegian people. I ask you to convey our words of sympathy and support to all the subjects of the Kingdom of Norway, with whom we are bound by a centuries-long tradition of good-neighbourliness. For the first time, Norway became a victim of the terror that has overwhelmed the whole world. I’m convinced that this trial won’t disconcert Norwegians, but it’ll only unite them in a resolve to confront this new challenge of evil. The terrorists managed to carry out their monstrous plan, which resulted in the deaths of innocent people. Whatever motivated the murderer, it’s a shameful crime without any justification. These perpetrators of iniquity went against the Will of God and Man’s Law. I pray to our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, who is the Resurrection and the Life (the Gospel according to St John 11.25), that he might grant rest in the Kingdom of Heaven to the souls of those who died, and give solace to you, the families of the victims of the terrorist attacks, and the entire Norwegian people.

With deepest sympathy,

Kirill

Patriarch of Moscow and all the Russias

23 July 2011

Patriarchia.ru

Official MP Website

http://www.patriarchia.ru/db/text/1583619.html

23 July 2011. Oslo Mourns Its Dead… May Their Souls Rest in Peace…

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VOR Presents… A Tragedy in Norway

At least 87 people died in the recent dual terrorist act in Norway. On 22 July 2011, a bomb went off in a complex containing government buildings in the centre of Oslo. According to the police, the blast killed seven people and injured 19. Later, a man in a police uniform opened fire in a youth camp on Utøya Island. Reuters, referring to Norwegian police sources, said that at least 80 people were victims of the shooting. Police discovered and disarmed a bomb on the island. Police arrested a 32-year-old Norwegian for suspected involvement in the bombing in Oslo and the youth camp shooting.

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The blast in Oslo took place at 15.20 CET (17.20 MSK 14.20 UTC 09.20 EDT 06.20 PDT).

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The bomb was in a car parked outside the buildings.

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The blast severely damaged the Prime Minister’s Office, the Justice Ministry, and the neighbouring Oil and Energy Ministry.

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Shock waves shattered windows in buildings within a radius of about a kilometre from the epicentre of the blast.

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The police urged residents and visitors in Oslo to avoid the city centre.

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Immediately after the explosion, police in Oslo reinforced security measures at major transportation hubs, including at Gardermoen Airport, which is in a suburb of the capital.

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A scene in the Norwegian capital after the blast, near the complex with the government buildings.

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First responders giving emergency treatment to victims of the explosion in the centre of Oslo.

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Shards of glass and building debris littered streets in the centre of Oslo.

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After the attack in the Oslo city centre, a man in police uniform opened fire at a Labour Party youth camp on Utøya Island (pictured), which is in the Oslo outer suburbs.

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There were approximately 700 people at the camp, which is on an island 30 kilometres from Oslo. Dozens of teenagers were amongst the victims. The above photo was taken on 22 July 2011, before the shooting occurred.

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Police arrested a 32-year-old Norwegian suspect in connection with the incident; the coppers searched his home. In the image above, police assist the wounded at the youth camp.

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Russians came to the Norwegian Embassy in Moscow to pay their respects for the victims. In the early morning hours, hundreds of Muscovites placed flowers and candles in front of the building.

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23 July 2011

Voice of Russia World Service

http://rus.ruvr.ru/photoalbum/53612729/53612740/