Cross set up, prayer said in North Pole

Moscow, April 7, Interfax – Members of the Association of Heroes of the Soviet  Union and Heroes of Russia, polar researchers, statesmen, public figures and  businessmen arrived at the North Pole on Sunday.

The group also includes Bishop Iakov of Naryan-Mar and Mezensk, and  Archpriest Vsevolod Chaplin, chairman of the Moscow Patriarchate’s Department  for Church and Society Relations.

A memorial cross was set in the North Pole and Bishop Iakov said a prayer,  Father Vsevolod told an Interfax-Religion correspondent.

The Heroes of Russia and the Soviet Union’s appeal to nations was read  out.

“Condemn wars, all manifestations of fascism and terrorism, drugs and killers  of Nature before it is too late! Be tolerant to each other, and vigilant, as  well! Save the world and our common home – the Earth, the blessed gift of God,  especially the Arctic and Antarctic which are tender as Mother, fragile as ice,  strict as Father, and not all-forgiving. Irreversible natural processes may come  into motion and uncontrollable social, political, inter-ethnic and inter-faith  contradictions may arise and lead us to a universal catastrophe. God save us  all!” the appeal says.

The guests also visited the international polar station Barneo.

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