Attempts to falsify war history must be resisted – Patriarch

Moscow, September 2, Interfax – The heroism of Soviet citizens, who won a victory in the war against Nazi Germany, must be remembered and honored, Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia said.

“Defending and saving their native country, language and identity, sometimes sacrificing their lives, our grandfathers and great grandfathers rallied together to assert their right to a peaceful life and to their native culture. We, the heirs and successors of that selfless generation, must remember and honor their heroic feat of true service to their Motherland,” Patriarch Kirill said in a message of greetings to the World Assembly of the Russian people and a plenary meeting of the Russian Writers Union, being held in Vladikavkaz on Wednesday.

The assembly and the plenary meeting are devoted to the 65th anniversary of Russia’s victory in World War II to be marked in 2010.

“The heroism and sacrifice of the past years, and the immortal example of our fathers and grandfathers” must counterpoise “attempts to split fraternal nations that once fought shoulder-to-shoulder and the propaganda of mercantile interests of momentary success, which have been supplanting the lofty moral ideals, rooted in our culture and literature,” he said.

“We must counter every lie. It is gratifying that writers, scholars and cultural figures, who have gathered for a plenary meeting, titled “The Lofty Word of Truth,” will speak against attempts to falsify the history of the Victory and to belittle the heroic feat of our fathers,” says Patriarch Kirill’s message, posted on the website of the Moscow Patriarchate on Wednesday.

Source: