“OLVIA-PRESS”

ORTHODOXY IS A HEALTHY UNITING BASIS FOR PEOPLES OF THE UKRAINE, RUSSIA, AND MOLDOVA

On the eve of celebrating the day of republic, on September 1^st, Orthodox Christians of the Dniester Moldavian Republic celebrate two holidays: the Day of honoring the Miraculous icon of Don Gosh Mother, and the Day of ordination into Bishop or Archbishop Hyrotony of His Sacredness, the Sacred Yustinian. Since the Orthodoxy is a state-forming religion of our Republic, these holidays can be deservedly considered as nation-wide for the DMR citizens. Besides, the miraculous icon of Don Gosh Mother is the protector of our land, and also of the Black Sea Cossacks’ Army.

With occasion of the Day of Archbishop Hyrotony, in the Christmas Cathedral of Tiraspol, there took place the solemn liturgy. To share joyfulness of solemn actions in the DMR, the following guests arrived: the Highly Sacred Agafanghel Metropolitan of Odessa and Izmail, the Highly Sacred Augustin Metropolitan of Lvov and Galitskaia, the Sacred Tihon Bishop of Arkhangelsk and Holmogory.

Seven years ago, in 1995, in the Don priory situated in Moscow, Vladyko Yustinian, the day of the Miraculous icon of Don Gosh Mother was ordinate into Bishops.

Giving an interview to correspondent of the press agency “Olvia-press”, the DMR President Counselor for issues of cults and religion Piotr Zolozhkov emphasized, “The divine foresight sent to us an active, young, and non-prejudiced shepherd. During his fruitful and creative activity, the number of priests has increased for 6 times in comparison with 1995. And if prior to that time there were mainly graduates of theological colleges, now 70% of them have diplomas of higher theological institutions or study there. Besides, if in 1995 in the DMR territory there were 27churches, now there are 75. It is not a secret that after collapse of the USSR, ideological vacuum appeared in the society, which different sects try to fill. Especially of state-forming kind. In order to prevent destructive influence of such organizations on our population, especially on youth, the DMR President pays much attention to spiritual development of a personality, and to role of the Orthodoxy in its maintenance, and makes possible assistance and support to the Russian Orthodox Church”.

Vladyko Agafanghel Metropolitan of Odessa and Izmail confirmed the fact that the Orthodoxy was a consolidating basis for peoples. In interview to correspondent of the press agency “Olvia-press” he remarked, “The Orthodoxy is a healthy uniting basis for peoples of the Ukraine, Russia, and Moldova. All attempts undertaken by the West and directed to weaken the Orthodoxy in these countries, have the goal to weaken and then to destroy these states. As Brzezinski once remarked, ‘The West did not think that after collapse of the USSR, the Orthodoxy would be a consolidating core’”. Also Vladyko Agafanghel emphasized that due to absence of contradictions on religious grounds, “The Dniester region is an example of unity and accord. You have suffered much but due to the Orthodoxy as well, you have survived”. Concerning the question that the USA express great interest in settlement of the Moldavian-Dniestrian conflict today, Vladyko Agafanghel remarked, “The USA do not care about the fate of Dniestria, the only thing they want is that Russia should leave this region forever, that’s why they take advantage of any possibility, including spread of religious intolerance in the society. Moldova and Dniestria are not the only examples of applying such a policy. For instance, in Yugoslavia, everything began with a religious rivalry, and then turned into military actions and deaths. We pray to God, so that there was no blood here, that all issues were settled only by means of negotiations and meetings”.

The same day, after the solemn religious service, the Cross-March was carried out with occasion of celebrating the Day of honoring the icon of Don Gosh Mother. The miraculous icon was given supreme honor, which can be given to a shrine: it headed the Cross March, and each believer could have bowed to it, and could have taken part in the March.

I.Letiaga.