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Patriarch urges Putin to address Russia's
demographic crisis
APPEAL BY PATRIARCH ALEXIS II OF MOSCOW AND ALL-RUS TO RUSSIAN
PRESIDENT V.V. PUTIN
21 June 2004
Your excellency, deeply esteemed Vladimir Vladimirovich
After numerous difficulties and trials of the past twentieth century,
Russia now has obtained the political, economic, and spiritual forces
for progressive movement along the way to democratic and socio-economic
reforms whose goal is the creation of optimal conditions for a
dignified life for the individual and citizen of the Russian
federation. The success of such an important matter depends not only on
specific decisions of the legislative and executive authorities but
also on the unification of the efforts of the entire society.
As a citizen of Russia and the primate of the Russian Orthodox church,
I am pleasantly aware that in the new realities of church-state
relations Orthodox believers have the possibilities along with all
citizens to work on the creation of a spiritually strong, economically
stable, and morally healthy Russian state. At the same time, I and the
multimillion flock of the Russian Orthodox church cannot help but be
concerned for the spiritual and moral state of our society, because the
condition of society and the state as a whole depends on those values
that are the priorities in the life, business, and actions of every
individual.
At the present time in Russia there are 145 million residents, which is
two million persons less than in 1989. And this is despite the transfer
of seven million persons into Russia in the past ten years. According
to data of the Ministry of Health, the natural annual mortality of the
population of Russia is about one million persons.
While speaking with alarm about this problem of importance to the
state, I understand well that the lower birthrate in our country has
been caused by many factors, one of which, in my view, is the
widespread practice of artificial termination of pregnancy. In
the years of atheist education in society there was created an attitude
toward abortion as a "normal" phenomenon. Every year, from six to eight
million were performed at state expense. This happened while the
overwhelming majority of people did not have the slightest
understanding of the sinfulness of such actions.
The issue here is not that abortion is not a crime in accordance with
current legislation or that there are not sufficient social, economic,
and residential conditions for support of a family. In the first place,
this is a moral problem. Because of the absence of traditional moral
education and spiritual orientation, on one hand, and the propaganda of
moral libertarianism by the news media, on the other, modern young
people view promiscuous sexual unions as "the norm of life." The
consequences of such "norms" are well known: unwanted pregnancy,
abortions, profligacy, venereal disease and AIDS, alcohol and drug
addiction, and early death. And this undeclared war has not ceased for
a single day. Unfortunately, society has gradually become accustomed to
this. In the flood of daily news, intrusive advertising, glossy
publications, mass culture, and television programs, less and less
space remains for genuine, instead of ephemeral, spiritual values upon
which the basis of a viable society depends. In sowing the wind of
ideas freed from morality, we will reap the whirlwind of
self-destruction.
Russia was always strong in faith and community [sobornost]. By uniting
its energies, it resisted attacks from without, overcame troubled
times, triumphed in unequal battles, and created a peaceful life. The
time has come to face the greatest challenge, the extinction of the
nation. Upon each and every one of us depends what Russia will be in
the near future, and who will live in it and how.
Taking into account the special role of the Russian Orthodox church in
support of the morality and stability of society, I appeal to you,
profoundly respected Vladimir Vladimirovich, with a suggestion for
conducting at the end of October 2004 a church-public forum devoted to
one of the acute problems of our times--the demographic situation in
our country.
I am convinced thatsuch a meeting, with appropriate support from
the state, religious and public organizations, and leaders in science,
education and culture would be able to make a substantial contribution
to overcoming the existing crisis. Taking advantage of the opportunity,
I would like to wish you a strengthening of your energies, endurance,
and courage in your difficult service in the exalted and responsible
position of president of the Russian federation.
Bishop of Saratov and Volsk Longin (RPTsMP) wrote letters of appeal to
Mayor Yury Aksenenko, Governor Dmitry Aiatskov, and the chairman of the
Committee on Architecture and Urban Construction of the administration,
Vladimir Virich requesting that the construction of a church building
for Mormons in the center of the city not be permitted, SarVS reports.
He reports that many appeals and complaints from the public have
arrived at the Saratov diocesan administration.
The bishop's letter reports that to the site of construction ( 65 M.
Gorky Street) building materials have been transported whose volume and
quantity allows one to estimate the grandiose plans of the architects.
The overall area of the plot, according to the priest, is greater than
1,000 square meters.
Bishop Longin also is concerned about the proximity of the building of
the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints to an Orthodox church
consecrated to the Protection of the Mother of God and a Muslim
mosque. (tr. by PDS, posted 24 July 2004)
A private person has obtained a complex of buldings at 65 Gorky Street
in the center of Saratov, whose overall size is 1398 square meters.
According to information from reliable sources, it is planned to build
on this site a church complex of the religious organization of the
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, "Saratov" GTRK reports.
The reports of the purchase of the complex of buildings were confirmed
anonymously by the administration of the city.
This will become the third house of worship for Mormons on the
territory of the province. The first was located in the Lenin district
of Saratov on Tarkhov Street. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day
Saints also own a worship complex in Engels. (tr. by PDS, posted 24
July 2004)
On the initiative of the Smolensk provincial Department of Social
Development in July 250 citizens of Smolensk with disabilities were
provided free wheelchairs, for children, adults, and youth, which
permitted the satisfaction of almost all requests for this category of
citizens for such aid, IA REGNUM reports.
According to a report from the "Smolenskaia gazeta," on 16 July
representatives of the Humanitarian Service of the religious
association of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints along
with the assistant to the director of the department, Aleksei Murygin,
visited the homes of several of them, where they received words of
thanks and profound gratitude for the aid that was provided. (tr. by
PDS, posted 24 July 2004)
SUMMER OF THE PATRIARCH. PATRIARCH ALEXIS II DID NOT UNDERGO SECRET
HEART OPERATIONS
by Elena Yakovleva
Rossiiskaia gazeta, 24 July 2004
"ALexis II did not undergo nor require an operation of an aortal
shunt." That is the official response of the Moscow patriarchate to
reports appearing in one newspaper that His Holiness received an
emergency operation in Germany of an aortal shunt under conditions of
strictest secrecy.
Believers learned that the patriarch was sick on Sunday, 18 July. On
that day, the commemoration of St. Sergius of Radonezh, His
Holiness usually serves the liturgy in the Saint Sergius Holy Trinity
lavra and a prayer service under the open sky. After the service and
meal people usually await his Holiness to receive a blessing. There are
many people since this is such a marvelous blessing and the patriarch
has such love in their eyes, so it is necessary for him following the
meal to pass through a human corridor.
This time the prayer service concluded with the reading of a letter
from the patriarch, greeting everyone on the holiday and explaining
that physicians had recommended that after his trip to Tikhvin he
undergo a diagnostic and therapeutic study. Believers knew about the
intense ministry of the patriarch this summer and they crossed
themselves and sang for him "Many years" on the cathedral square.
That the reports of a secret operation that appeared are false a
believing person could guess without expecting official confirmation on
the part of the patriarchate. Illness, much more a patriarch's illness,
never would be concealed from the flock because during illness
believing people place their hopes in nothing more than on prayer:
"Pray for one another that you may be healed." One cannot imagine even
in a movie thriller a patriarch concealing his illness from the church
and flock.
Here is how the director of the Communications Service of the Moscow
patriarchate, Viktor Malukhin, commented on this situation for RG.
"In recent days separate Russian publications, and primarily those
whose information policies with regard to the Moscow patriarchate were
earlier publicly condemned by the Holy Synod as antichurch, produced in
various forms fantasies and speculative commentaries with regard to the
state of health of His Holiness Patriarch Alexis. Actually, in recent
months there occurred a series of grand church-state occasions and
events in Moscow, St. Petersburg, and Tikhvin that required the
personal and active participation of the primate of our church. Such a
colossal workload could not but have an effect.
"Upon the recommendation of physicians, His Holiness was advised to
undergo a diagnostic and therapeutic regime and to refrain for a time
from his planned primatial visits to the dioceses.
"I can testify that in this case there is a temporary heart arrhythmia
produced by the extremely physical workload. This is a phenomenon well
known to a multitude of people. In this case an operation of an aortal
shunt was not required and thus was not performed.
"Now the state of health of His Holiness has stabilized. A normal
rhythm has been restored to his heart. At the present time His Holiness
is taking a short-term vacation, while continuing to direct the
preparations for the next session of the Holy Synod and the upcoming
autumn bishops' council, as well as for the ceremonial arrival in
Russia of the revered relics of the Holy Martyr Grand Duchess Elizabeth
and the nun Barbara and for the Sarov Diveevo stage of the celebration
of the jubilee of St. Serafim. (tr. by PDS, posted 23 July 2004)
REPRESENTATIVES OF LEADERSHIP OF RPTsMP TRY TO EXPLAIN CONTRADICTORY
INFORMATION ABOUT PATRIARCH ALEXIS' STATE OF HEALTH Portal-credo.ru,
23 July 2004
Representatives of the higher leadership of RPTsMP were not able to
provide "Portal-credo.ru" on 22 July any definite information about the
state of health of Patriarch Alexis II of Moscow and all-Rus. According
to various sources, the head of RPTsMP, after undergoing heart surgery
in Germany, will undergo a regime of rehabilitative therapy at his own
villa in Switzerland or at the Central Clinical Hospital in Moscow.
Archpriest Vladimir Divakov, chancellor of the Moscow patriarchate,
told Portal's correspondent: "So far as I know, the patriarch's state
of health is satisfactory. I do not have other information at my
disposal."
Archbishop of Istria Arseny Epifanov, a vicar bishop of the patriarch,
responded rather guardedly to a question from a Portal-credo.ru
correspondent about His Holiness' condition following the
surgery: "What shunt operation? There was no such operation; he
wasn't cut open. Where did you get this? The patriarch was in the
hospital for treatment and now he has been transferred to a
rehabilitation center."
Archpriest Vsevolod Chaplin, vice-chairman of OVTsSMP, responded to a
question about how reliable is information about the aortal shunt
surgery performed on Patriarch Alexis II that this information does not
correspond to reality. Fr Vsevolod promised to distribute an official
commentary regarding the state of health of the head of RPTsMP through
the channel of the Communications Service of OVTsSMP.
Fr Vsevolod refrained from answering a question about where the primate
of the church is geographically located. "That is not quite correct,"
he said. "A person, when he is resting or recovering, has a right to
'privacy,' so that his location is not revealed. Any person has a right
to protection of his 'privacy.''" In complaining that "Portal-credo.ru"
spread reports to the effect that on 21 July it was impossible to reach
Fr Vsevolod Chaplin by telephone, he explained that "After all it was a
holiday. You see, we had a so-called day off, or more accurately a
nonattendance day. You won't be able to reach the government by phone
on 7 November." (tr. by PDS, posted 23 July 2004)
No sign patriarchate ready to reconcile with
Vatican
POPE COURTS RUSSIAN ORTHODOXY
by Uwe Siemon-Netto
United Press International, 23 July 2004
The Russian Orthodox Church will reclaim one of its most cherished
treasures next month, once Pope John Paul II returns the icon of "Our
Lady of Kazan," according to a Vatican announcement.
Russian armies used to carry the "Kazanskaya," as Russians call this
13th-century work of art, into battle in centuries past. It had a
reputation of being a protector of their motherland.
The pope had originally intended to personally deliver the treasured
icon to Kazan and hand it to Alexei II, patriarch of All Russia. But
his flailing health and a veto from Alexei II against a papal visit to
his realm forced a change of plans.
Still, news that the pontiff will give back "Our Lady of Kazan" as an
unconditional gesture of reconciliation is considered highly indicative
of the current state of ecumenism, Vatican sources say. It is seen as
further evidence that despite Alexei's intransigence, John Paul has
given greater urgency to unity with Orthodoxy than with Western
Protestantism.
The latter's "tendency to succumb to secular fads has become so
irritating that our relations cooled considerably," a Catholic
ecumenical officer in Germany told United Press International.
The Kazan icon hangs across from the pope's desk in his Vatican
apartment. It had disappeared from Russia in 1918 shortly after the
Bolshevik revolution and turned up in North America, where it was
bought by a Catholic organization called Blue Army of Our Lady in
Fatima.
The image was to be handed back when Russia converted, a development
the Virgin Mary is said to have prophesied in 1917 during an apparition
in Fatima, Portugal, which is now a Marian shrine. Catholic
conservatives strongly object to the icon's return at this point,
saying that Russia had not converted.
But the pontiff has made clear in recent years that reconciliation with
the Eastern Church had top priority. When Bartholomew I, ecumenical
patriarch of Constantinople, visited the Vatican recently, John Paul
stated, "We ... grew more and more conscious that Roman Catholics and
the Orthodox are called to work together to ensure that the European
continent does not forget its Christian roots," -- a significant remark
given the European Union's refusal to even mention these roots in its
new constitution.
The warm encounter between the pope and Bartholomew, who is Orthodoxy's
highest-ranking prelate, was the pinnacle so far of John Paul's
relentless campaign to "make Christianity breathe again with both
lungs," as he said in 2001 during his highly successful visit to
Greece, Syria and Malta.
Further milestones on the road to conciliation were a trip to Ukraine
and, most importantly, the pope's recent apology for the sacking of
Constantinople during the Fourth Crusade in 1204, an apology
Bartholomew promptly accepted.
Yet so far there has been no sign that Russia's Orthodox Church, the
world's largest, was ready to make its peace with Rome anytime soon.
The greatest -- but by no means only -- hurdle appears to be the
existence of the Eastern-rite, or "uniate," church loyal to the Vatican.
Other Church-dividing issues still under discussion include the
"filioque question" that was at the core of the 11th-century split
between the two branches of Christianity.
"Filioque" is a Latin word meaning "and the Son." The Western church
added it to the Third Article of the Nicene Creed, the standard
expression of the Christian faith accepted by most Christian
denominations.
This inclusion suggests that the Holy Spirit proceeds not only from the
Father but also the Son (filioque). The Eastern Church never agreed to
this, and Rome accepted this modification only in the 11th century, as
did Protestantism five centuries later.
There are other issues, too, for example the Catholic doctrine of the
Immaculate Conception, according to David Lucs, a spokesman for the
Orthodox Church in America.
Protestants also reject this doctrine (often confused with that of the
virgin birth of Jesus), which claims that not just Jesus but also the
Virgin Mary was born without original sin. It contributed to the 1870
schism resulting in the creation of the "Old Catholic Church" in
German-speaking countries and the Netherlands.
Today, Old Catholics are in communion with Anglicans. In the United
States, their denomination has a female bishop.
Daunting though the Vatican's attempt to reconcile with Orthodoxy might
be, Catholic prelates stress its urgency, especially in Europe, where
Christianity is increasingly challenged not only by secularism but even
more by Islam.
As an Italian ecumenist told United Press International recently, "Of
course, this challenge should be met by Catholics, Protestants and
Orthodox together. But what can you do when the Protestants seem more
interested in women's issues and homosexuality than in the survival of
Christianity in Europe? Compared with that, the theological differences
we have with the Orthodox appear less troublesome -- because they focus
on the divine, not human concerns." (posted 23 July 2004)
ALEXIS II HOSPITALIZED IN MOSCOW CLINIC
Mir religii, 23 July (10.14 p.m. Moscow time)
Patriarch Alexis II of Moscow and all-Rus was hospitalized in one of
the clinics of the capital because of problems with his heard, "Echo of
Moscow" reports siting AFP.
We recall that in the autumn of 2002 the patriarch was in the hospital
around two months and then in a sanatorium in connection with a serious
vascular illness. Last year he also was hospitalized in the central
clinic for a cold.
On 22 July the Department of External Church Relations of the Moscow
patriarchate stated that Alexis' health condition at the present time
is stabilized and he is resting in a sanatorium.
The report notes that the patriarch had a heart arrhythmia which arose
"as a result of overwork." "June and July of this year were connected
for His Holiness with large divine services and church and public work.
In these months there were the celebrations of the patriarch's
enthronement and seventy-fifth birthday, and then there was the
celebration on the occasion of the return to Russia of the miraculous
Tikhvin icon of the Mother of God, during which Alexis II performed
patriarchal liturgies in moscow, St. Petersburg, and Tikhvin," OVTsSMP
recalled.
As a result, the report states, the heart arrhythmia occurred in the
patriarch and physicians "insistently recommended to him that he cancel
his planned trip to dioceses and undergo a diagnostic and therapeutic
regimen."
At the patriarchate it was stressed that "an operation on Alexis II for
an aortal shunt was not conducted and not required." (tr. by PDS,
posted 23 July 2004)
CONDITION OF PATRIARCH ALEXY II NORMAL, HEART RHYTHM REGULAR
by Olga Kostromina
ITAR-TASS, 23 July 2004 (8:35 Moscow time)
The condition of Patriarch of Moscow and all Russia Alexy II, who is
recovering from heart arrhythmia, is normal. His heart rhythm has
normalized. A source in the communications division of the Moscow
Patriarchate's External Church Relations Department said on Friday.
Yet the doctors still recommend the Patriarch to work less. Alexy II is
rehabilitating in a sanatorium.
The Patriarch did not need a heart by-pass surgery, the source said.
The arrhythmia resulted from the Patriarch's busy schedule and the
doctors recommended him to abstain from planned trips and have a
therapy.
The Patriarch did not stop guiding the Church activities for a day. He
took active part in preparations for the commemoration of St. Sergius
of Radonezh and the 250th birth anniversary of St. Serafim of Sarov.
(posted 23 July 2004)
RUSSIA'S PATRIARCH IN HOSPITAL WITH HEART PROBLEMS
Agence France Presse , 23 July 2004
Patriarch Alexy II was reported to be back in hospital with a heart
condition Friday, although the immediate state of health of the Russian
Orthodox Church leader remained unclear, ITAR-TASS reported.
Alexy, born in 1929, has recovered a stable heart beat, ITAR-TASS
quoted church officials as saying.
Doctors decided against operating on the patriarch's heart, the report
said, without specifying when he was hospitalized.
The Russian Orthodox Church leader, who has refused meeting with ailing
Pope John Paul II to heal a church rift sparked by the Great Schism of
1378, suffered heart problems last year, cancelling trips and official
ceremonies in Moscow for months.
Relations between the two churches have been sorely strained since Pope
John Paul II announced in 2001 that he was creating four new dioceses
in Orthodox Russia, where Orthodox believers outnumber Catholic
faithful by more than 150 to 1. (posted 23 July 2004)
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