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Baptist minister exonerated

JUSTICE OF PEACE OF CITY OF KLINTSA ACQUITS BAPTIST PASTOR CHARGED WITH ORGANIZING UNSANCTIONED MEETING
Slavic Legal Center, 6 August 2008

On 5 August a justice of peace court of the city of Klintsy, Briansk province, acquitted the pastor of a church of Evangelical Christians-Baptists in Klintsy, Evgeny Voronin, who had been accused of organizing an unsanctioned meeting and procession, the press service of the Slavic Legal Center reports.

We recall that from 9 to 13 July the Baptist church of Klintsy conducted a series of events on the territory of the church under the general title "Time to believe." On 12 July a group of bicyclists, 28 men and women from Briansk, Kletnia, and Klinintsy, dressed in red football shirts with the slogan "Time to believe," rode out onto the "50th Anniversary of October" city square, where they gathered to be photographed. However the spectacle of a couple dozen bicyclists in red shirts in front of the city administration building provoked the suspicions of police officers.

On 12 July at 11:00 the police officers arrested and took to the police station ministers of the church of Evangelical Christians-Baptists of Klintsy, of Briansk province, Presbyter Evgeny Voronin and Deacon Vladimir Skovpen, an international master in bicycling. In addition, also arrested were Kirill Moskalenko and USA citizen Michael Walker with his companion Aleksei Pleshakov.

Presbyter Voronin was charged with organizing an unsanctioned procession on the city square. At the time of arrest and transportation to the police station, police officers caused bodily injury to Vladimir Skovpen, while he was refused medical aid. The point was that Skovpen had had surgery on his collarbone and during the arrest officers broke the bone again.

During the session of the justice of peace court, as Evgeny Voronin noted in an interview with the Slavic Legal Center press service, two sergeants who arrested him reported that they were sent with an order to break up the unsanctioned meeting of a youth movement. According to Voronin, it turned out that after the arrest of the Baptists, students of the Briansk State University from the "Orthodox Corps" in white shirts with a placard "A sect is the enemy of healthy society" held a demonstration on the square. The judge did not believe the words of a sergeant  that supposedly some one of the Baptist youths spoke about an intention to conduct a demonstration. The police themselves noted that the Baptists had no placards and the only slogans were on their football shirts. In the end, Judge M.M. Daineka declared that Presbyter Voronin was not guilty. As Evgeny Voronin emphasized, he got the impression that the judge was trying to be objective and strove to put an end to the affair.

As for Deacon Vladimir Skovpen, he is still in the hospital after a second surgery on his collarbone. Skovpen gave a statement to the prosecutor about the injury that was inflicted, but he has not received any response. On 12 July he gave testimony a first time and on 30 July police officers came to the hospital again for evidence.

On 27 July representatives of the United Churches of EKhB for Briansk province transmitted to an advisor to the governor, Sergei Gavrikov, an official declaration of clergy of the United Churches of Evangelical Christians-Baptists of Briansk province to Governor Nikolai Denin. The declaration also was transmitted to the leadership of the provincial Department of Internal Affairs for conducting investigations. (tr. by PDS, posted 6 August 2008)

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Whom do Russians honor most?

SERGIUS OF RADONEZH OUTDID  STALIN AND LENIN IN RATINGS OF CHIEF HISTORICAL HEROES OF RUSSIA
Interfax, 4 August 2008

St. Sergius of Radonezh headed the ratings of the "Name of Russia. Historical ChoiceÑ2008," which was conducted by the "Rossiia" television company along with the "Public Opinion" foundation and the Institute of Russian History of the Russian Academy of Sciences.

According to provisional results of the survey, published Monday on the project's web site, 1,480,230 out of 14,634,759 voters gave their preference to the saint. In second place is Joseph Stalin (1,376,455 votes).

An insignificant number of votes separate the third and fourth places, which are occupied by Georgy Zhukov (1,288,746) and Vladimir Lenin (1,277,238).

Yury Gagarin occupied fifth position (1,175,330). After him, in descending order follow Holy Prince Alexander Nevsky, Alexander Pushkin, Mikhail Lomonosov, Nikita Khrushchev, Vladimir Vysotsky, Sergei Korolev, and Konstantin Rokossovsky.

Nicholas II and Peter I show up in 13th and 14th places respectively.

In September there will remain in the questionnaire only 12 out of 50 names. And they will continue the "contest" for title of chief historical hero of Russia, which will become known at the end of the year. (tr. by PDS, posted 5 August 2008)

SOLZHENITSYN INCLUDED IN LIST OF 'NAME OF RUSSIA' PROJECT
Portal-credo.ru, 5 August 2008

Organizers of the "Name of Russia. Historical ChoiceÑ2008" project decided to include Alexander Solzhenitsyn in the questionnaire of the project. A brief biography of Solzhenitsyn has already been published on the site.

Now there are 50 names on the project list; in September the 12 top ones will remain. The name of "the chief historical hero of Russia" will become known at the end of the year.

At the press service of the  "Rossiia" television channel, Interfax was informed that Solzhenitsyn will appear in the list for voting in the evening of 5 August.

"Whether he will come out among the leaders or not is a secondary question; the main thing is that Alexander Isaevich has been entered on the list. It was necessary to do this," the organizers added.

Voting within the framework of the project, which was organized by the "Rossiia" television company along with the "Public Opinion" foundation and the Institute of Russian History of the Russian Academy of Sciences, is continuing. The site of the project reports that at the present time about 15 million votes have been cast.

We recall that until recently, first place on the list was occupied by Joseph Stalin, but quite recently he was suddenly outdistanced by St. Sergius of Radonezh. (tr. by PDS, posted 5 August 2008)


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Baptists seek legal redress

BAPTIST PRESIDENT COMPLAINS TO PROSECUTOR OVER IMPEDIMENTS TO CONDUCTING CONGRESS
Press Service of RSEKhB, 5 August 2008

The president of the Russian Union of Evangelical Christians-Baptists (RSEKhB), Yury Sipko, sent an appeal to Prosecutor General Yury Chaika, complaining against the action of the head of the administration of Istra region, Moscow province, A.N. Shcherba.

RSEKhB conducted the "Transformation" congress on the territory of Istra region. The authorities of the region took steps to counteract the conducting of the congress. In connection with this, the appeal specifically says:  "This event was organized by us in accordance with the charter of the union and on the basis of point 2, article 16 of federal law 'On freedom of conscience and religious associations,' which provides that worship services and other religious rituals and ceremonies are conducted without hindrance in houses of worship and facilities on their related territories and in other places allotted to religious organizations for these goals. The territory of the "Rucheek" camp was such an 'other place' for us, with whose administration we had concluded a lease agreement."

The appeal emphasizes that the action of the authorities of the region was unexpected and without foundation:  "We informed appropriate provincial authority structures and the head of the Istra municipal region, A.N. Shcherba, of our plans and we hoped for their help and support. Instead of this the head of Istra municipal region, A.N. Shcherba, undertook actions directed to interrupt the conduct of the congress.  By her order on the day of the beginning of the congress, the electricity was turned off in the camp. At 'Mosenergo' they told us that this was done by order of top authorities and the cut off would last until 4 August. This really did subject the health of the congress participants to danger, about which up until that time the head of Istra municipal region, A.N. Shcherba, had been so concerned. We were forced to seek independent sources of supply."

In connection with the violation of the rights of believers, the president of RSEKhB asked that the head of Istra region be held accountable:  "In our view the local agencies of authority infringed upon our constitutional rights and crudely violated articles 27 and 28 of the constitution of RF. We consider that the actions of the head of Istra municipal region, A.N. Shcherba, fall under article 138 of the criminal code of RF, which establishes accountability for illegal hindrance of the activity of religious organizations or the performance of religious rituals. We ask that you review the question of holding A.N. Shcherba criminally liable." (tr. by PDS, posted 5 August 2008)

RUSSIAN UNION OF EKhB MANAGED TO CONDUCT CONGRESS IN MOSCOW SUBURB DESPITE COURT'S CLOSING OF CAMP WHERE IT WAS HELD
Portal-credo.ru, 5 August 2008

The "Transformation 2008" congress of the Russian Union of EKhB, which was held in Istra region of Moscow province 31 July to 4 August, has concluded.

On the last day a report about the vision and strategy of the Russian Union of EKhB was made by vice-president of the union, R.S. Voloshin, the press service of the congress reports.

At the concluding service the world champion in swimming for disabled persons, Alexander Chekurov from Volgograd, spoke. Then a sermon was delivered by RSEKhB President Yu.K. Sipko, and a breaking of bread service was conducted. The concluding prayer was delivered by former president of RSEKhB P.B. Konovalchik.

Meanwhile, a judge of the Istra city court, M.Yu. Bardin, on 2 August ordered a stop to the activity of the "Rucheek" camp where the congress was held, without have notified the defendant about the judicial session (a telegram with the summons was sent only after the session). The court's officers reached the camp only after the official ending of the congress. (tr. by PDS, posted 5 August 2008)

×Little CreekÒ did Not Dry Up

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"LITTLE CREEK" DID NOT DRY UP
National Russian Baptist Congress successfully completed
Department for External Church Relations of the Russian Union of Evangelical Christians-Baptists, 6 August 2008


The Russian Union of Evangelical Christians-Baptists (RUECB) third biannual, national congress, ÒTransformation 2008Ó, ended on schedule at noon on Monday, 4 August, near the village of Rumyantsevo west of Moscow. ÒIt was a truly wonderful event!Ó exclaimed Pastor Vitaly Vlasenko, Director of the RUECBÕs Dept. for External Church Relations. ÒMany participants claim it was their best conference ever.Ó There was something in it for everyone, including the programme for the more than 200 children. Issues covered included parenting, romantic relationships, discipleship, leadership and mentoring. The creative arts played a major role: Music and drama were big hits every evening from 10 p.m. until midnight.

Though the event included guests from neighbouring, ex-Soviet countries, it remained a truly Russian one. There apparently was no speech in the main tent given in a Western tongue. But choirs sang in their South Russian mother tongues of Kabardian, Ossetic, Balgar and Roma. Two Wycliffe Bible translators from Russia were also introduced. The only Westerners present in any numbers were 18 members of Harvest Bible Chapel in Naperville near Chicago. They played a vital role in getting the camp prepared for the more than 2.000 visitors.

This Brethren-run camp is named ÒLittle CreekÓ, and the secular press prophesied last week that the Creek would Òdry upÓ due to government opposition to the event. Yet the Noah-like scenes on Sunday, when tents and parts of the campus stood under water, left a completely opposite impression. Russians still understand how to endure adversity: The weekend turned out to be a very moist but happy affair with believers hunched together in the tightest of quarters.  

Was the holding of the congress legal or illegal? Local authorities regard it to be illegal, yet RUECB-leadership claims adamantly that the event was never forbidden by federal authorities. In a personal conversation, Pastor Peter Lunichkin of St. Petersburg, head of the RUECBÕs Social Ministries Department, cautioned against undue excitement: Russian believers do not loose emotional control as soon as a government office attempts to forbid something. Russians are no experts at due process and organising, he conceded, and that holds true for both church and state. ÒWeÕre accustomed to public resistance,Ó Pastor Lunichkin assured. ÒWithout any opposing pressure whatever we would probably not know what to do with ourselves.Ó He added that great freedom remains for proclaiming the Gospel in Russia. Wide access to childrenÕs homes in the Petersburg region is still available. ÒWe donÕt know how long this freedom will hold, but that still is the case at present.Ó

Public electricity to the camp, cut off just before the congress began on 31 July, was not immediately restored after its closing on the 4th. Local government officials, who had in the name of public safety declared the conference illegal, were also responsible for cutting off its power. The conferenceÕs legal aftermath is already beginning.

The RUECB, Russia's largest, unified Protestant church, represents approximately 80.000 adult members in 1.750 congregations and groups. Its President is Yuri Sipko.  (posted 7 August 2008)


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Baptists protest local officials' action

ADMINISTRATION OF ISTRA REGION HINDER CONDUCT OF EKhB CONGRESS
Press service of the congress, 2 August 2008

The conduct of the "Transformation-2008" congress by the Russian Unin of EKhB appeared under the threat of disruption because of the actions of the administration of the Istra municipal region of Moscow province.

The site where the congress is being held was visited frequently over the course of the past month by various investigative agencies. In the past week such investigations became daily. They were conducted even at a time when the congress already had begun its work. Many members of the congress' organizing committee, instead of doing its work, were forced once again to talk with representatives of the regulatory structures.

Despite the preliminary approvals for holding the "Transformation" congress in the "Rucheek" camp, the head of the Istra municipal region, Anna Shcherba, issued on 1 August an order for "cessation of a public event," referring to the fact that this event was being conducted in violation of the law "On assemblies, meetings, demonstrations, processions, and pickets." The order demanded that the event be terminated before 10:00 a.m. on 1 August, although the order itself was published only at 6:00 p.m of that date.

As the director of the congress' organizing committee, Ruvim Voloshin, reported:  "The congress is an event conducted by the Russian Union of Evangelical Christians-Baptists and its falls under the competence of the law on freedom of conscience and religious organizations. The conduct of such religious events does not require approval in accordance with the law on assemblies and meetings. Thus we consider this order without basis."

RSEKhB President Yury Sipko stated:  "We did everything possible in order to get approval for conduct of our congress from the administrations of all levels. The administrations of Moscow province and Istra region were informed in a timely manner of the conduct of the congress. We regret that our efforts did not meet with the necessary understanding of appropriate structures."

In addition, an attempt was made to prevent the activity of the congress by shutting off the electricity two hours before the official opening of the congress. It became known from sources in "Mosenergo" [Moscow energy] that shutting off the electricity in the "Rucheek" camp until 4 August was done on order of the top authorities. It also was confirmed that there is electricity in all surrounding villages and there was no breakage of the electric lines leading to the camp.

Despite all circumstances, the congress has continued its work in accordance with the planned schedule. Provision of electrical energy was made with the help of independent sources of delivery.

The leadership of the congress sent a letter to the head of Istra region explaining its position and warning about civil and criminal liability for impeding the performance of religious activity.  Similar letters were sent to agencies of the prosecutor's office and internal affairs.  (tr. by PDS, posted 3 August 2008)

Russian original posted on site of RSEKhB, 2 August 2008

Related article:  Moscow authorities accommodate Baptists ,  July 31, 2008

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Ukrainian official gives gloomy view of Orthodox community

ORTHODOX BELIEVERS IN UKRAINE DECLINE
Portal-credo.ru, 1 August 2008

The state Committee on Affairs of Nationalities and Religions of Ukraine has noted a decline in the number of believers professing Orthodoxy in the country. This was stated by the chairman of the committee, Professor Alexander Sagan, in an interview with the "Ukraina moloda" newspaper.

"The situation for Orthodoxy in Ukraine really is not very bright. Even if we talk about the number of parishes, it is quietly declining," Alexander Sagan emphasized. He said that in western Ukraine this is connected with the vigorous migration of the population.

Speaking of the situation in eastern Ukraine, Alexander Sagan noted that there the role of protestantism is increasing in its turn. At the same time the chairman of the state committee on religions thinks that the number of registered church societies is substantially distinguished from the real number of believers and that is being used by some politicians for manipulation.

"We have one picture relative to the registration of church societies and another for the real picture of the quantity of believers themselves. This inconsistency permits some 'politicians of the church' to manipulate the figures and deceive people for the achievement of certain goals," he noted.

In Alexander Sagan's opinion, the creation of a single local church in Ukraine also would make manifest the decrease of the number of Orthodox believers. At the same time he noted that today in the world Orthodoxy is "the greatest source of believers for other confessions," but Ukraine still is an exception to this rule. (tr. by PDS, posted 2 August 2008)

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Regional press attacks Jehovah's Witnesses

KUZBASS SUFFERS INVASION OF JEHOVISTS
Regions.ru, 29 July 2008

The local "Jehovah's Witnesses" organization in Kuzbass has increased its activity. Thus, recently in Kemerovo around 1300 "Jehovah's Witness" adepts assembled from among the residents of Kemerovo province and other regions of the Siberian federal district, who took part in the work of a "provincial congress." Here they conducted active propaganda of their ideological notions.

Residents of the province are made uneasy by such activity of the members of the organization and they request that we give information about their activity and principles, the press service of the provincial administration reports.

As the famous theologian Alexander Dvorkin notes, "Jehovah's Witnesses" are known primarily for their vigorous propagandistic activity. More often than members of many other sects, they go from house to house, accost people in the streets, distribute their pamphlets and magazines, insistently suggest that people study the Bible with them, and invite them to their meetings. "Jehovah's Witnesses" deny any earthly government and everything connected with it: service in the army, oaths for governmental duty, state holidays, respect for the flag, voting, and selection for elected office, etc. It is necessary also to note that the ritual practices of Jehovists are extremely aggressive with regard to other confessions and are intended to preach the exclusivity of the Jehovist confession.

In various regions of the Russian federation the activity of Jehovists has led to an increase in the outbreaks of social tension, brought about by the negative attitude of residents to the "divine services" conducted by the Jehovists and to the adopted practice of dissemination of their ideological notions. In particular, in February of this year in Murmansk there was a mass meeting of citizens that opposed the construction of a so-called "cultural educational center" by Jehovists within the territory of the city.  (tr. by PDS, posted 1 August 2008)


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Jewish leaders think authorities indifferent to antisemitism

UNKNOWN PERSONS CONDUCT POGROM IN JEWISH RELIGION CENTER, LVOV
Portal-credo.ru, 1 August 2008

A group of unknown persons conducted a pogrom in the "Shalom Chaverim" [Peace, Friends Family Center] Jewish Center in Lvov on 29 July, AEN reports.

In the "Shalom Chaverim" Jewish center there regularly occur classes and meetings of religious Jewish youth and participants of "STARS" program, and this provokes the displeasure of neighbors, who have openly demonstrated their dissatisfaction and uttered insulting statement to the young Jews, but up to now the conflict was limited to oral action.

On 29 July several vandals, armed with iron bars and shouting antisemitic slogans, broke into the building of the Jewish center, smashing everything in their path. Two workers who were in the "Shalom Chaverim" center were brutally beaten by the pogromshchiki.

Local police have launched ain investigation, although Jewish leaders doubt that law enforcement agencies will take appropriate measures.

""The reaction of the authorities to all of our previous complaints has been more than indifferent; antisemitic manifestations are considered as petty hooliganism and it is completely natural that this impunity led to the final result, a genuine Jewish pogrom," noted one of the activists of the Lvov Jewish community. (tr. by PDS, posted 1 August 2008

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