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Russian Orthodox church aids fire victims

PATRIARCH KIRILL: GOD GRANT US ALL TO GROW IN UNITY AND SOLIDARITY
Press Service of Patriarch of Moscow and all-Rus, 15 August 2010

On 15 August 2010, the twelfth Sunday of Pentecost, His Holiness Patriarch of Moscow and all-Rus Kirill conducted the Divine Liturgy at Stefano-Makhrishch stauropigial convent in Vladimir province. After the conclusion of the worship service His Holiness described for journalists the aid that the Russian Orthodox church has provided for victims of the forest fires in central Russia.

"As regards the aid that was organized by the church, I am very satisfied with the scale of that aid. We collected about 200 tons of humanitarian supplies and in contact with MChS [Ministry for Emergencies] and local authorities we managed to distribute this help.

"We also collected 15 million rubles. Perhaps for someone this seems not much, but these were donations from simple people who sometimes gave all that they were able, and I think that this is a very significant sum that will be directed to satisfaction of the greatest needs.

"I am very satisfied with the work of volunteers. People came to the church's department that deals with aid, simply young people from off the streets, and they asked: "How can I help?" They collected humanitarian aid, loaded it into their vehicles, and then risked their lives because they had to drive in the smokiest areas.

"I think that everything that has happened has helped all of us to understand how important solidarity is, without which life is impossible in human society. And if our people, especially our youth, are responding to the pain of those who are suffering today, that is a very good sign. God grant us all to grow in unity and solidarity."  (tr. by PDS, posted 15 August 2010)

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Attempt to impose Orthodox values on employees draws reaction

IS IT POSSIBLE TO DRIVE SUBORDINATES INTO ORTHODOXY?
Religiopolis, 13 August 2010

Vasily Boiko-Velikii, president of the "Russkoe Moloko" holding company sent a letter to employees of "Russkoe Moloko" and of all companies that are members of the "Your Financial Guardian" group of companies.  Specifically, the document says:

"In order to promote repentance within our nation, the council of directors of the 'Russkoe Moloko' holding company has adopted the following decision:

1.  All employees of all enterprises, during work time and non-work time, must take the academic course "Foundations of Orthodox Culture," which has been confirmed by the Ministry of Education of Russia as obligatory, during the upcoming academic year.

2.  All employees working in the "Russkoe Moloko" agricultural holding company and of other enterprises of the "Your Financial Guardian" group of companies, in the event of pregnancy, will earn the average salary in full until the new-born child reaches one year of age;

3.  All employees who have an abortion or facilitate an abortion are subject to dismissal by elimination of their position;

4.  All employees who are married but were not married in church who do not have a church wedding before 14 October 2010, the feast of the Protection of the Mother of God, are subject to dismissal by elimination of their position;

5.  Newly hired employees who are married but were not married in church must be married in church within the probationary period (three months).

I call people to pray for mitigation of the flames and the quenching of the fires.

I ask the accountants of the enterprises to organize a collection of contributions from employees who wish to  provide help for victims of the fires."

V. Boiko-Velikii explains these measures as necessary to turn aside from Russia God's wrath expressed particularly in the drought and fires. The president of the company does not think the dismissals will be a violation of the labor code. "We will terminate the positions in which these people are working, not the people themselves,  and we will distribute their duties among the remaining employees," Boiko-Velikii noted.

Regions.ru asked some clergymen to comment on this document.

Archpriest Alexander Saltykov, rector of the church of the Resurrection in Kadashi, does not see anything wrong in Mr. Boiko-Velikii's decision.  "I have known the president of the 'Russkoe Moloko' for a long time and I consider his activity with great sympathy. It seems to me quite natural that an Orthodox businessman tries in his activity to operate upon the values of Christian culture and tries to draw his employees into it. In our time this is one of the most critical tasks in our country. I think also that any healthy minded person should support the struggle against murder of children," he said. "So I completely support all these initiatives and I want to wish for God's help for these good deeds," Fr Alexander added.

Priest Dimitry Arzumanov, rector of the church of the Blessed John of Kronstadt in Zhulebino, called with some irony the step of the head of the "Russkoe Moloko" company "a brave decision."  "Of course, it is impossible to dismiss workers because they, perhaps, are insufficiently Orthodox or don't want to be such. I am categorically against this. Incidentally, this contradicts our secular legislation," he said.  "But I think that a businessman has the right to hire people because of their religious convictions. That is a different thing. And I consider working for the religious enlightenment and improvement of morals within a Christian spirit in our enterprises to be very important and necessary. In this I unconditionally support the businessman," Fr Dimitry added.

The head of the department of theology of the Esenin Riazan State University, priest Luka Stepanov, sees "excessive determination" in the decision of the company's president. "In this document one sees a certain extremism, excessive attempt to establish formal piety within his company. One cannot but sympathize with the desire of the leadership to promote Orthodox culture and dignity on the staff of one's employees. But, of course, such methods are not weighty because a person's will is responsible for faith and it is impossible to make a person pious against his will, even for the sake of maintaining family relationships in the workplace," he noted.

"It is a different matter that, so long as legislation is not violated, the director has the right to conduct his own personnel policy. But often the directors themselves lack the theological education or pastoral abilities that would help them find some more mild forms of drawing their employees to Orthodoxy," Fr Luka thinks. "I know large organizations whose directors are sincere believers and church folk, who cautiously, like a restorer with a brush, work on teaching piety to their subordinates. This step might evoke only ridicule and dissatisfaction of the public that is not ready for 'unanimous' piety. And what is more, there will not be here any words of gratitude toward the directors for their attempt to abolish ignorance and lack of spiritual culture by such a decisive manner," he concluded.

Priest Sergii Kruglov, clergyman of the Savior cathedral of Minusinsk, Krasnoyarsk territory, and a famous poet, does not rule out the possibility of judicial investigations on this matter.  "There are people who know the law and who know their rights. They could go to court over this, since Russia still is a secular state," he explained.

"This thing confirms my long-held thoughts, and not only mine, that everything depends not so much on the law as on people themselves. If, let's say, the head of an enterprise thinks he can do such and such. Why did the attempt to introduce into the schools the 'Foundations of Orthodox Culture' fail? Because in one place a teacher did not want it and in another the principal did not want it. The human factor is very important. And it will be the same here," Fr Sergii suggested.

"Whether society will oppose such a decision or not is unknown. But it is necessary to understand that any force has nothing in common with Christianity.  A slave is not a devout person," he reminded.

Deacon Ioann Kornienko, a famous Orthodox community member and evangelist, does not agree with the position of the president of "Russkoe Moloko."  "Personally I cannot support such a worldview in which the faith or religion of people is subjected to uniformity. Faith is to a great extent an intimate part of human life and nobody should pressure people's consciences," he said. [. . . .]

Kirill Frolov, head of Department of Ukraine of the Institute of the Countries of CIS, head of the Association of Orthodox Experts, recalled the words of the Most Holy Patriarch in connections with Boiko-Velikii's appeal.

"It is necessary to look realistically at the world surrounding us. The patriarch set a task for the church: to make 80% of the nominal Orthodox citizens of Russia Orthodox who are Orthodox by identity into really churched people. Some consider that it is normal when the churched folk are the minority and the rest are Orthodox only nominally; but this is not normal! Patriarch Kirill is a wise and healthy thinking person, and if he says that it is possible to make 80% of the Orthodox into 'practicing believers,' that means it is possible. Thus it is necessary to act so as to resolve this problem and to identify those who are interfering with its solution," he noted.

"Let's discuss the situation at this company from the point of view of the resolution of the goal of real churching of those who are Orthodox by identity. Will it help? I think, most likely no. That people do not go to church, that is our fault, Orthodox believers. When we act in the way this president did, we only drive people away from the church. It is necessary to open up Orthodox for people and to love them into it! After all, how many meetings for employees with theologians could be organized, or pilgrimages! That is when people themselves will want to lived a churchly life," Kirill Alexandrovich is confident.

Maksim Parshin, director of the service of regional communications of the synodal Department for relations between church and society, does not see anything bad in such a practice.  "Mr. Boiko-Velikii's initiative can be assessed positively. Actually, there exists a certain spiritual link between the piety of a national and the ecological well-being of a country. Calling subordinates to morally acceptable behavior is commendable. What are the opponents of such measures upset about? That they are called not to have abortions and not to kill their own children? Then you should think who these people are and what they want to accomplish," he said.

"As regards the question of church weddings, here it is impossible to answer unequivocally. The church has always recognized legally registered marriages, contrasting it to 'civil marriage,' which it isn't in essence. The church wedding service is God's blessing on conjugal life, and therefore demanding to perform it as obligatory seems superfluous. Nevertheless, I can admit the existence of a definite "Orthodox ethic" in a company, where all Orthodox Christians who are married a encouraged to receive God's blessing on their conjugal union," Maksim Viktorovich noted.
(tr. by PDS, posted 13 August 2010)

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Associates of Kiev evangelical pastor indicted

IN CASE OF PASTOR OF "GOD'S EMBASSY" CHURCH, SUNDAY ADELAJA, SEVEN CHARGED
RISU, 12 August 2010

This was stated at a press conference by the Ukrainian  Deputy Minister of Internal Affairs Leonid Zima, RBK-Ukraina reports.

"More than 3,000 persons have been questioned with regard to this case, and charges were drawn up against seven persons, two of whom are in custody," L. Zima declared.

At the same time, L. Zima refused to report whether Sunday Adelaja has been charged with "creation of a criminal organization," and also whether there would be a change in the measure of restraint with regard to him. We recall that at present S. Adelaja is under restraint from departure from Kiev by the decision of a court in accordance with a petition from the investigator. (tr. by PDS, posted 13 August 2010)

Related article:  "Kiev evangelical minister faces court trial "  August 4, 2010

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Jehovah's Witnesses charged

JEHOVAH'S WITNESSES OF MARI EL PROSECUTED FOR INCITING HATRED
Interfax-Religiia, 12 August 2010

In Yoshkar-Ola of the Mari El republic a criminal case has been instigated with respect to members of the "Jehovah's Witnesses" religious organization for arousing hatred or strife on the basis of indications of religious affiliation.

"Members of the religious organization have distributed literature that is included in the list of extremist materials and they have conducted public propaganda whose contents dealt with exclusivity and the superiority of adherents of the Jehovah's Witnesses religious association over representatives of other religion," the investigative administration of the Investigative Committee of the Procuracy of RF for Mari El reports.

During searches, a substantial quantity of religious literature was confiscated, part of which, in the opinion of investigators, is of an extremist nature. The seized pamphlets will be subjected to careful analysis and expert investigation.

The case was opened on the basis of article 282 of the Criminal Code of RF (incitement of hatred or strife along with demeaning of human dignity).

Operational support on the case was provided by agents of FSB and MVD for Mari El. At the present time, operational measures and investigative activities are being conducted. (tr. by PDS, posted 12 August 2010)

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Drastic measures against Russian heatwave

IN ORDER TO "COMBAT THE DROUGHT" ORTHODOX DIRECTOR OF "RUSSIAN MILK" COMPANY WILL FIRE EMPLOYEES WHO WERE NOT MARRIED IN RPTsMP OR HAD ABORTION
Portal-credo.ru, 12 August 2010

Married employees of the "Russkoe moloko" Russian company are required to be married in church with their spouses before 14 October. Otherwise the director of the firm threatens to fire the dissenters.

As the president of the "Russkoe moloko" agricultural holding company, Vasilii Boiko-Velikii, said on 12 August in an on air interview with radio station "Echo of Moscow," the extraordinary heat raging this summer on Russian territory is "punishment for the sins of the Russian nation." And an initiative of church weddings may correct the situation.

"If a woman has had an abortion, then she may no longer be an employee of our company. Abortion is murder of a person. We do not wish to work with murderers. As regards church weddings, for a baptized person to get registered in ZAGS as married and not be married in church is an anomaly and abnormal.

Boiko-Velikii is confident that such measures do not violate labor legislation in any way since the employees themselves will not be fired but their positions will be terminated. Thus, the duties of the dismissed employee will be distributed among their colleagues.

The director of the press service of the Moscow patriarchate, Vladimir Vigilianskii, told the radio station for his part that such administrative measures could be held against the church. (tr. by PDS, posted 12 August 2010)

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Jehovah's Witness arrested as organizer of extremist group

OMON TROOPS RUDELY INTERRUPT WORSHIP OF JEHOVAH'S WITNESSES IN YOSHKAR-OLA
Portal-credo.ru, 11 August 2010

On 10 August, officers of law enforcement agencies, including OMON special forces, stormed into a service of Jehovah's Witnesses in Yoshkar-Ola attended by 90 persons, including elderly folk and children, and rudely interrupted the meeting, the press center of the Administrative Center of Jehovah's Witnesses in Russia reported.

Everybody attending the service was inspected without any official explanations, and their personal items were confiscated, including telephones. None of the believers was permitted to leave the room until late in the evening. Several of those in attendance were given summons to an interrogation.  When one woman became ill, an ambulance was called, but doctors were not permitted to enter the premises.

Simultaneously in at least four apartments of believers, searches were conducted that lasted until four o'clock in the morning. Investigator Anton Vettsuk opened a criminal case with respect to believer Maksim Kalinin on article 282.2 of the Criminal Code (organizing activity of an extremist organization). As a precautionary measure he was required to sign a statement that he would not depart the city.

Believers who were persecuted in USSR for unconditional refusal to bear arms are shocked that they are considered extremists. (tr. by PDS, posted 12 August 2010)

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Protestant leaders issue call for nationwide prayer

RUSSIAN PROTESTANTS CALLED TO PRAY FOR AUTHORITIES AND ALL WHO COMBAT FIRES
Interfax-Religiia, 11 August 2010

In connection with the catastrophic fires in the country, the Consultative Council of Heads of Protestant Churches of Russia issued a declaration in which they call Christians to pray not only for rain, but also for the leadership of the state and all who are laboring to overcome the consequences of natural disaster.

The authors of the declaration call every person to turn from evil deeds, to acknowledge the authority of God over one's self and to love one's neighbor by rejecting deceit, violence, and evil. "We call for prayer for the president, for the government, and for all who are combating natural disaster and evil in our country," the document that reached "Interfax-Religiia" Wednesday says.

Calling for mutual respect and obedience to the law, the authors of the declaration recall the words of the apostle Paul:  "Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice; but be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted." The document notes that Christian congregations of various confessions throughout the country are asking God to send rain and they are providing help to victims "according to their strength and above their strength."

The declaration was signed by the  ruling bishop of the Russian Church of Christians of Evangelical Faith, Eduard Grabovenko, the president of the Russian Associated Union of Christians of Evangelical Faith (Pentecostals), Bishop Sergei Riakhovskii, the president of the Russian Union of Evangelical Christians-Baptists, Presbyter Aleksei Smirnov, and the president of the Western Russian Union of Churches of Seventh-day Adventists, Pastor Vasilii Stoliar.  (tr. by PDS, posted 11 August 2010)

DOCUMENT:  APPEAL OF CONSULTATIVE COUNCIL OF HEADS OF PROTESTANT CHURCHES OF RUSSIA

Esteemed Russians, Brothers and Sisters!

On the territory of Russia every day more than 800 separate fires are reported, flames are destroying residential areas, and strategic objects are threatened. Often aerial and land equipment turns out to be impotent in the face of the raging elements. In many regions nature is failing from lack of rain, from drought, and sweltering heat.

Governing authorities, municipal agencies, public and religious associations, and a multitude of our fellow citizens grieve along with those who have lost loved ones and been left without shelter. Christian congregations of various faiths throughout the country are asking God to send rain and they are providing help to victims according to their strength and above their strength.

We call our entire nation not only to pray for rain. We call every person to turn from evil deeds, to acknowledge the authority of God over one's self and to love one's neighbor by rejecting deceit, violence, and evil. We call for prayer for the president, for the government, and for all who are combating natural disaster and evil in our country so that we may conduct a quiet life, without rebellion, in mutual respect and obedience to the law.

Sacred scripture says:  "Seek good, and not evil, that ye may live: and so the LORD, the God of hosts, shall be with you." (Amos 5.14)  The holy apostle Paul writes: "Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice; but be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted." (Eph. 4.31,32)

Ruling Bishop
Russian Church of Christians of Evangelical Faith
E. A. Grabovenko

President
Russian Associated Union of Christians of Evangelical Faith (Pentecostals)
Bishop S.V. Riakhovskii


President
Russian Union of Evangelical Christians-Baptists
Presbyter A.V. Smirnov

President
Western Russian Union of Churches of Seventh-day Adventists
Pastor V.D.  Stoliar

Moscow

11 August 2010
(tr. by PDS, posted 11 August 2010)

Russian original posted on site of Russian Associated Union of Christians of Evangelical Faith, 11 August 2010

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