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Saturday, February 24, 2018

Unity for the good of the country. The celebration of the 500 anniversary of the reformation in the Pashkov House»

(Translated from an article in Russian)

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Unity for the good of the country. The celebration of the 500 anniversary of the reformation in the Pashkov House»


November 1, 2017, 15:21

Religion

October 31, 2017, in Moscow in cultural and exhibition complex «Pashkov House hosted the main event devoted to the celebration of the 500-year anniversary of the Reformation. At a ceremony attended by representatives of public authorities, diplomats, public figures, heads of the Protestant churches of Russia and the clergy of the Christian denominations.

Welcoming guests to the ceremony, Archbishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Russia Dietrich Brower recalled that exactly 500 years ago there was an event that marked the beginning of the Reformation: the Augustinian monk Martin Luther published the 95 theses, in which criticized the abuses of the Church. He did not want to create a separate denomination, but has sought to reform the Church. "Yes, the Reformation led to the formation of later new denominations, but it taught us peer inside yourself and accept differences, admit mistakes and come to terms in the name of Christ," said the Archbishop. According to him, the Reformation "carried out a coup in the minds of men", and primarily taught to perceive God "not as distant and incomprehensible despot, but through the good news of Jesus Christ." In addition, one of the cornerstones of the theology of the Reformation was the idea of the "height of Christian freedom, which equates to a deep responsibility."





He further outlined the centuries-old presence of Lutherans in Russia (before 1917 g. Lutheranism was the second confession by the number of followers), their contribution to the political, economic and cultural development of our country, as well as the repression, which were many Lutherans in the Soviet period.

According to Archbishop Brauer, the task of the present generation of followers of Luther-"restoring the rich Lutheran heritage of our country." In that connection, he noted with particular satisfaction reported on the recent transfer of the State of the Moscow Cathedral of Saints Peter and Paul in the ownership of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of the European part of Russia.

Next Archbishop Brower gave attention to the current situation and the active service of the Protestant churches in Russia, as well as their fruitful interaction with each other and with other Christian denominations. One of the fruits of collaboration have become large-scale commemorative activities throughout the country "with a view to disclosing the main ideas of the Reformation-a return to a single frame of the origins".

Greeting of the President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin read out the first Deputy Head of the presidential administration Sergey Kiriyenko. Presidential congratulation pays tribute to the Reformation, which "has had a huge impact on the development of world culture, science and education; radically changed economic and legal device States and societies ". Especially stressed that representatives of Protestantism "made a significant contribution to the development of multi-faceted Russia, is an important and integral part of our cultural and historical heritage. Today's efforts were also followers of Luther interreligious World Conservation and preservation of traditional values.

From Sergei Kiriyenko himself, assured that "State power Russia perceives Protestants as an integral part of the traditional religious communities, especially appreciating such qualities as" hard work, patriotism, moral behavior. He also stressed that the Government was doing everything possible to restore historical justice, to restore and rebuild the destroyed churches, to support a national spiritual revival ". According to him, it's like all Protestant communities were able to unite in the preparation of the celebration of the 500 anniversary of the Reformation, "shows good understanding and to work together for the benefit and the Protestant communities, but the most important thing is for the benefit of development our country ".

Rüdiger von Fritsch, extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Ambassador of Germany in Russia, also expressed the hope that Russia will not only return of the Lutheran churches, but also a complete rehabilitation of Lutherans who suffered repressions. In his speech he talked about the importance of the Reformation for the German and world culture, mentioning that "more than 800 million. people all over the planet combined Evangelical faith. "

On behalf of the Patriarch of Moscow and all Russia Kirill and myself Protestants greeted Metropolitan Hilarion (Alfeyev), Chairman of the Department for external church relations of the Moscow Patriarchate. First, he talked about the destructiveness of any splits that "harm Christian Unity", "dire consequences for many countries. But, by suppressing the tragic pages of history ", head of DECR appealed to the contribution made by the Protestant tradition in the Treasury of world culture and world Christianity. As an example, Metropolitan named Johann Sebastian Bach and devoted to its creativity a significant slice of his statement. He also mentioned the influence of Protestant heritage on the development of theology in Russia (Handbook of St. Tikhon Zadonsk was composition of Johann Arndt "about true Christianity", in imitation of that prelate wrote his own work) . And the writings of Protestant theologian of the 20th century Dietrich Bonhjoffera, Lutheran pastor, today inspire many Christians of different denominations, "said Metropolitan Hilarion.

Next, we were talking about tradition: "many modern Orthodox and Catholics used to thinking of themselves as media Church tradition with the big letters, and the Protestants-as representatives of liberal Christianity Lite." However, in a return to the original Christian tradition saw his calling supporters of Luther, was "a huge craving for true Christianity. Lutherans have created their own tradition, which strictly adhere to, continued speaking. And a large proportion of Russian Protestants today also continues to stand on the traditional positions in matters of morality. Despite all the differences, us, Orthodox and Protestants, combines a belief in Christ as God and Saviour ", he presented Metropolitan Hilarion and Archbishop Brouwer — 6 volumes of his book" Jesus Christ-the life and teaching ", noting that not once in these compositions refer to the Protestant theologians.

The Vatican's Apostolic Nuncio Archbishop Celestino Migliore in Russia in his speech continued the theme of Christian Unity. "As a Catholic, I am particularly proud of what Dad Francis took over the responsibility to participate in the festivities on the occasion of the Jubilee of the Reformation without touching the theme shizm and divisions, to believe in the prospect of a joint future," he said. Vatican diplomat noted with satisfaction that in recent years "in the Ecumenical dimension sees stigmas of the Reformation", and emphasized two main themes in Protestant theology that it is important to comprehend the Christians of other denominations : this is religious freedom and "centrality" of the word of God. " All this draws new horizons of our evidence, the opportunity to overcome the "illness of conflict," concluded the Nuncio.

Head of the Department for national policy and regional cooperation of the city of Moscow, Vitaly Suchkov (pictured) congratulated all gathered and announced the greeting of the Mayor of Moscow Sergei Sobyanin. "Many generations of Protestants-Russian nationals left bright trace in the history of our country and its capital," noted in the greeting. Particularly underscored the commonality of spiritual, religious values: "the most important thing is the desire of Protestants, Catholics and Orthodox live in peace, respect each other and not break away from our common Christian roots".

Congratulations to the Protestant community also made honorary guests: the head of the State Duma Committee on the development of civil society, public and religious associations, Coordinator of the parliamentary group for the defence of Christian values Sergey Gavrilov; the head of the public Chamber of the Russian Federation to the Commission on the harmonization of interethnic and inter-religious relations Diskin; the Mufti of the spiritual assembly of Russia Muslims Albir Krganov. On behalf of the head of the Russian and Novo-Nakhichevan Diocese of the Armenian Apostolic Church Archbishop Ezrasa Nersisyan Protestants greeted the priest Georg Vardanyan.

"Reformation will continue in the hearts of the people," on the aspiration of Protestantism in future, responsibility and ability to adequately respond to the challenges of modernity focused with OEM speech the President of the General Conference of the Church Seventh-day Adventists, Ted Wilson. Welcoming statements were made by the leaders of Russian Protestants: the President of the Russian Union of Evangelical Christians-Baptists Alexei Smirnov; the Chairman of the all-Commonwealth Pavel Kolesnikov, an evangelical leader, Bishop of the Russian church of Christians of Evangelical faith of Eduard Grabovenko and command the Russian Bishop Joint Union of Christians of Evangelical faith ( Pentecostal) Sergey Ryakhovskiy.

According to tradition, a solemn meeting was accompanied by symphonic and choral music. State academic choir, Moscow region of the seventh-day Adventist church choir and Instrumental Chamber Orchestra Capella» performed works by Bach, Mendelssohn, bortnyansky, as well as a fragment of the oratorio passion according to St. Matthew " Metropolitan Hilarion (Flowing).

Saying goodbye to the guests of the ceremony organizers create the original gifts: everyone got Tula gingerbread with the inscription "500 years of reformation.



According to the information of the Blagovest-info

Photo of the press-service of the Russian combined Union of Christians of Evangelical faith (Pentecostal)


Source

In Russian (original article)
https://www.mos.ru/news/item/31961073/


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