RUSSIA RELIGION NEWS


Government leaders make public show for Christmas

PUTIN MARKED CHRISTMAS IN ST. PETERSBURG FOR THIRD TIME IN A ROW

Credo.Press, 7 January 2020

 

Russian President Vladimir Putin celebrated the birth of Christ in the night leading to 7 January in St. Petersburg, for the third time in a row, Fontanka reports.

 

This year Putin arrived for the service in Transfiguration of the Savior cathedral where, he affirms, he was baptized. Attending the service with him was the governor of St. Petersburg, Alexander Beglov. The divine liturgy was served by the rector of the cathedral, Nikolai Bryndin.

 

Last year Putin marked Christmas in the same cathedral and in 2018 he visited the church of Saints Simeon and Anna in St. Petersburg.

 

The Transfiguration of the Savior cathedral was originally built in 1754 according to the design of architect Mikhail Zemtsov. The church was completely destroyed by fire in 1825, but the sacred items were successfully retrieved. By 1829 it was restored by architect Vasily Stasov. It was never closed for divine worship, although in the 1920s and 1930s it belonged to Renovationists. (tr. by PDS, posted 7 January 2020)

 

PRESIDENT OF BELARUS, WHO CALLS HIMSELF AN ATHEIST, VISITED ELIZABETH CONVENT IN MINSK FOR CHRISTMAS AND CAST DOUBT ON ETERNAL LIFE

Credo.Press, 7 January 2020

 

Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko arrived on 7 January for the holiday of the Birth of Christ at the church in honor of the "Sovereignty" icon of the Mother of God on the territory of the St. Elizabeth nunnery of the RPTsMP in Minsk, BELTA reports.

 

In the church, the head of state greeted pupils of the convent's Sunday school, who presented him a bouquet of flowers. In turn, the president gave them Christmas gifts—books about Orthodox holidays and sweets. Then Alexander Lukashenko lit a Christmas candle.

 

"A bright, good holiday that inspires in our hearts faith, hope, love, and goodness. It seems to me that this church, this cloister in which we find ourselves, also is the embodiment of these good and shining words," Lukashenko said from the church's pulpit.

 

Alexander Lukashenko noted that 2019 was a difficult year for Belarus. "But on the whole we all say that it was not a bad year. It was a difficult period of our life. And, as I always say, what most causes in us caution (but not danger) is the economy. Therefore this is the life of our people," the head of state said.

 

"You see what is happening in the world, what is being done in the international arena. This is a difficult period. Everybody is warning of a recession in the world economy and stagnation. But nobody is predicting growth," a nun and parishioner warned Alexander Lukashenko.

 

The president reminded that there were difficult times in the life of the country. "We found ourselves in both a blockade and isolation, and sanctions were introduced against us. We are not Russia and the other mighty states; not the European Union. And it was difficult for us. But simply thanks to our unity we persevered. This unity is the key to all our successes. And in this unity, a very great role was played by our church—all confessions (our large church), not just Orthodox believers and not just Catholics. I have all Christians in mind—all confessions of our country," Alexander Lukashenko said.

 

Continuing his speech from the pulpit, the president of Belarus stated doubt about the eternal life of a person: "Unfortunately, we do not know this but we will believe it. But as to this life, earthly life, we are well informed. Therefore let's live this life here worthily."

 

Previously Alexander Lukashenko has often called himself an atheist, sometimes adding "Orthodox." (tr. by PDS, posted 7 January 2020)

 

 


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