On November 15, 2024, in the Portrait Hall of the St. Petersburg Diocesan Office, a meeting of Metropolitan Varsonofiy of St. Petersburg and Ladoga with representatives of patriotic public organizations was held.
«If we associate ourselves with the Russian Church, if we are believers, we must go to the temple, — said Vladyka Varsonofiy. — And friends should take an example from you. Once a week you should go to the service, it is a direct commandment of God: "Six days you shall labor, and the seventh you shall dedicate to the Lord your God (Exodus 20:9-10)" .... It is important not just to attend the temple, but to confess and receive communion. This is the second prerequisite to be a Russian Orthodox person. We are overcome by passions, sins, without the grace of God we can not cope, and grace is given only through confession — forgiveness of sins — and communion. We can put on a cross, go around with hoops, but if we do not visit the temple, do not fulfill the commandments of God, it will do us little good ... We need to build our lives correctly to be Orthodox.
The Archbishop noted that the main areas of activity of patriotic organizations — spiritual and moral work with young people, preservation of cultural traditions, strengthening family values. He recalled the recently held forum The World Russian People's Council, where the national idea of a sovereign Russia was discussed. To understand the Russian idea, the Russian way, it is necessary to turn to the origins of the formation of the all-Russian state, which was largely laid by the Baptism of Russia by St. Prince Vladimir. Since that time the people began to conceptualize themselves in the categories of Orthodox Christianity, formed the concept «Russia Holy» — equal to the ideal of holiness. The best people in Russia were considered saints, and this largely determined the worldview, culture, traditions and family values of the Russian man.
Metropolitan Barsonofiy emphasized that the basis of unity — traditional spiritual and moral values, which are based on faith in God, the fulfillment of God's commandments, and this path everyone must begin with themselves: it is impossible to talk about faith and morality, and do not adhere to it. The second thing that needs to be said is that the Russian community is based on the great Russian language and rich Russian culture, so it is necessary to maintain interest in Russian traditional culture, folklore, traditional Russian holidays. Vladyka Varsonofiy noted with satisfaction that festivals of Russian culture are held in the parishes.
Head of St. Petersburg Metropolitan Church expressed concern about such a phenomenon as neo-paganism, which was «imported» to Russia from the West in the 1990s. The ideology of neo-paganism asserts the racial superiority of the Slavs over other peoples. In the opinion of His Eminence, the spread of such views must not be allowed.
Unity rests on our common history, on the experience of cohabitation of many peoples within the framework of a single state. The Kievan Rus, the Moscow Empire, the Russian Empire, the Soviet Union and, finally, the Russian Federation have been the difficult path of our country, together with which the Russian Orthodox Church has always been. The unity is based on a single economic and spatial factor. Russia is the largest state in the world in terms of territory and natural resources.
Ladyka Varsonofiy thanked those present for the work being done. He emphasized that the Russian idea should be built on the effective and embodied Gospel: this will allow to build proper relations with representatives of other nations.
Chairman of the Department for Relations between Church and Society of the St. Petersburg Eparchy Archpriest Alexander Pelin noted that among the There are priests and laymen, representatives not only of St. Petersburg, but also of regional dioceses. Part of those present — heads of various directions of the organization «Russian Community».
The head of the St. Petersburg branch of the Society for Assistance to Russian Historical Development «.
The head of the St. Petersburg branch of the society of assistance to Russian historical development «Tsargrad» Vadim Okrushko told that the main direction of activity of community — military-patriotic training. Training has already passed 200 volunteers over 18 years old. Currently, 15 people from «Russian Community» are being trained. The training is free of charge and is conducted in several areas: ideological training, psychological testing, military skills, evacuation of the wounded. The training course ends with the laying of flowers in Pskov to the fallen paratroopers and the final class in the Pskov division. 52 people are already fighting. The organization also works with Cossacks. Six people who returned from the war zone with wounds have become instructors.
Metropolitan Varsonofiy noted that volunteers are very much needed and said that there are about 500 priests in the active army, 15 of them are clerics of the St. Petersburg diocese.
Alexei Lupanov, coordinator of «Russian Community», said that the main direction of the community's activities — organization of volunteer squads that help the police. There is also an organized cyber squad that works in social networks and participates in surveys. Members of the organization organize help in hospitals, military training classes. There are about 3,000 people in the organization: some help with money, others provide other support. Branches of the organization operate in all districts, they gather in the nearest temples, and there is a need for a temple where city-wide services and meetings can be held.
Ladyka Varsonofiy blessed to gather in the Kazan Cathedral of St. Petersburg and in Alexandro-Nevskaya Lavra.
Ladyka Varsonofiy blessed to gather in the Kazan Cathedral of St. Petersburg and in Alexandro-Nevskaya Lavra.
The senior priest in charge of the «Russian Community» Priest Alexander Bashkin noted in his speech that the main problem — neo-paganism in the army, in the sports environment. Unfortunately, there are neo-pagans among the members of the Russian Community. Work is being done with them, some are being baptized. We need priests responsible for work in the districts, and coordinators on spiritual issues in each district. Fr. Alexander also assured that the members of the community are ready to conduct subbotniks in the Metropolitan Garden.
Metropolitan Varsonofiy said that there are many pensioners in the city, many of them in good health, some well They are educated, and it is necessary to involve them in the parishes: some can cook, some can teach, work with children. It is important not to lose this generation, to record their stories. Modern people know nothing about their ancestors. The bishop regretted that he did not record the stories of people who met him in life.
Alexei Kalenich, coordinator of the public organization «Unity», said that members of the organization are engaged in holding sporting events, including free wrestling training, as well as providing assistance to SWO fighters, the wounded, and interacting with humanitarian funds. They also organize meetings with priests. The organization is mentored by Priest Dionisy Vihrov, whom its members helped in the construction of the temple. Communication is also established with Archpriest Sergius Belkov, who rehabilitates alcohol addicts in the Vyborg Diocese. With the blessing of Archpriest Alexander Selivanov, dean of the Kolpino church district, first aid classes are held.
Vadim Okrushko noted that in each district of St. Petersburg there is a council on interethnic relations, and in none of them there are no Russians — such a situation is not normal. He appealed to the leaders of the «Russian community» to think about the
The head of the St. Petersburg Metropolis said that next year there will be sports games dedicated to St. Alexander Nevsky, organized by the Ministry of Sport and the St. Petersburg diocese. He invited those present to participate in the games and advised them to contact the chairman of the diocesan sports department, Priest Bogdan Polev. Vladyka Varsonofiy also blessed to contact the noblemen if patriotic organizations have a problem with premises for events, especially those related to helping the soldiers of the SVO.
St. Petersburg Metropolis/Patriarchy.ru
