Orthodoxy and Civilization

16th May 2012

Russia, Ukraine, and Belarus annually mark the Day of the Christianization of Russia on July 28. Participants of the video bridge Moscow-Kiev-Minsk “Orthodox Church and the civilized way of Russia” spoke about preparations for celebrations in the three countries.

Vsevolod Chaplin, head of the Synod department for relations between the church and society

I hope the Day of Christianization of Russia will make more and more sense year after year. The Patriarch pays great attention to the date. As the Metropolitan, he took part in the celebrations held in Kiev. He is attentively following the celebrations which are being held now. I hope the celebration of this year will be brighter and have a more sensible bearing than it had in previous years. We wish celebrations were held in Moscow, Kiev, and Minsk and attracted many young people not only for listening to music, but also for thinking over the sense of Day of Christianization of Russia. This date says about the main thing. About much more important things than economy, politics, state management aspects. All will change, but the civilization vector of development of our people, we hope, won’t change ever. We are to establish the Eastern-Christianity civilization, which, I’m sure, has keys from the world’s future. Our civilization has keys from the future of humanity. Our Orthodox Eastern-Slavic civilization is not the most numerous, but it plays the key role. Because it knows how to open the door into a better life for the whole world, especially for Europe. It is clear that the future of Europe is not about London, Paris, or Brussels. The future of Europe lies with Kiev, Minsk, Moscow, Chisinau, Sofia, Athens, and Bucharest – countries and cities which are centers of the Eastern-Slavic civilization. Even today Kiev, Minsk, and Moscow are more European than the West of our continent. The West betrayed ideals of Rome, ideals of Christianity, betrayed Europe that was founded on Roman Law and Christian ideals, which were combined by Emperor Constantine Justinian. We should remember it and avoid following the weak-willed West and the weak-intellectual East. We shouldn’t be dependent in the world, in the world of civilizations’ dialogue. We should combine intellect and will – intellect that the East lacks and will that the West lacks. We should combine traditions and innovations, faith and life, spiritual and secular things. Our duty is to change the world in 10 years. And we can do it. Our duty is to change the system of political, economic, and cultural relations within humanity in 10 years. We can do it, because we know how. The only alternative to our way is apocalypse. And our answer, I’m sure, is the key to peaceful and harmonized future for the whole world. That is what our civilization is; and that is what we mark on Day of Christianization of Russia.

Georgy Arbuzov, prior of Church of the Resurrection in Minsk

The arrangements which will be carried out in Minsk are planned. This year I have addressed to Master Metropolitan with suggestions and have gained his blessing. We will organize an open-air concert. Today I can say that it will be in the center of the city; where exactly – we will agree with the municipal authorities. I would like to state on the direction of development of the situation in Minsk. First of all, it is work with young people. We plan to share evangel heritage, which is essential and key in development of our Orthodox civilization, with young people. What do we plan? We will hold a conference for young people and our colleagues from diocesan departments. It is difficult to say about its format, but we will invite independent observers, i.e. youth republican institutes that will participate in discussions. The topic of the conference is the mission among young people today. Moreover, we will hold exhibitions devoted to the modern life of Belarus Orthodox Church, a photo exhibition. Last year we presented to our guest the work by one of Belarus artists on Zaslava, this year we plan a photo exhibition. There is a splendid collection of works describing the short period of time of Belarus Orthodox Church. And the climax of our plans is a concert. We will be glad to welcome musicians from Moscow and Kiev at our Belarus stage.

Yuri Molchanov, member of directorate of the international organization “Day of Christianization of Russia”

There will be three concerts. They will start simultaneously in Moscow, Kiev, and Minsk. They will take place in big squares, where modern singers and musicians, as well as spiritual groups will perform. At the moment we think over the format to make concerts original and different from previous ones. I’m sure it will be interesting. The concerts will have video communication, i.e. video bridges and satellite communication. We will translate concerts in Moscow and Minsk in Kiev’s square; Kiev and Moscow – in Minsk; and Kiev and Minsk – in Moscow. Therefore, due to modern technologies we will create an effect of presence simultaneously in three capitals.

Oleg Karamazov, leader of the band Brothers Karamazovy, chairman of the international organization “Day of Christianization of Russia”

On May 16th the outstanding musician and poet, Yuri Shevchuk, marks his 55th anniversary. Metropolitan Vladimir awarded us the supreme Orthodox order – The Order of St. Andrew the First-Called. And it was a surprise. On May 11 we played the concert, and two days ago Metropolitan awarded us the order. It was very touching. He said that first of all it is for our contribution to reviving of the tradition of marking Day of Christianization of Russia in our countries. We are sure that we belong to one nation. We live in different countries, but our nation is solid. I think nobody can make us fight. This date is very important for answering the question “Who are we? Where did we come from?” We organize the fest for 6th year in a row. And we are glad that last year it was blessed by Patriarch Kirill and celebrated in Moscow.

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