Relics from Moscow Kremlin museum transferred to Russian Orthodox Church

29.06.2008, 20.23

MOSCOW, June 29 (Itar-Tass) -- Some relics from the Moscow Kremlin museum are being transferred to the Russian Orthodox Church, President Dmitry Medvedev said at the Savior Cathedral in Moscow on Sunday.

“These include parts of Our Lady’s robe and relics of Prince Vladimir, the Baptist of Rus,” he said. “We understand how this transfer is important for the believers and the entire Orthodox world.”

Medvedev lauded the latest Assembly of Hierarchs of the Russian Orthodox Church and congratulated the flock on the beginning celebrations of the 1,020th anniversary of the Baptism of Rus.

”The assembly, which had taken place in a remarkable year, confirmed the unity of the Russian Orthodox Church and blocked attempts of division,” he said. “The assembly also adopted fundamentals of the church teaching on dignity, freedom and human rights.”

“The beginning celebrations are a good occasion to take a close look at the Russian history, the outset of Orthodoxy and the formation of the Russian statehood,” Medvedev said. “The public interest is huge. It is a positive outcome of the revival of the church and the recent profound changes, among them the unification of the Russian Orthodox Church and the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia (ROCOR).”

The Russian conversion to Christianity was of paramount importance, Medvedev said.

“The decision of Prince Vladimir to convert to the Orthodox religion had a truly historic role and a number of systemic consequences,” he said. “The essence of the baptism exceeded the religious framework and changed many spheres of life.”

The decision united the country, supplied it with a developed ideology, and helped the linkage to progressive European and world processes, he said. “In the far away times, a choice of religion implied a civilized choice,” he said.

“The baptism enabled the ancient Russian state to develop active and equal dialog with other nations, while ancient Russian culture adopted universal Biblical values and shared moral and humanitarian ideals with Europe,” Medvedev said. “The historic choice enabled our ancestors to realize their identity and to strengthen national awareness.”

Inter-religious dialog and cultural cooperation are characteristic of the Russian statehood, Medvedev said.

“The centuries-old cooperation between nationalities, religions and cultures is the foundation and the characteristic feature of our statehood,” he said. “This cooperation many times saved Russia in the time of ordeal. It remains a source of peace and accord in the Russian society and a fundamental value recognized by religions and the state.”

This common legacy unites not only the millions of Russians but also other peoples, who share their history and culture, he said. Representatives of Ukraine, Belarus and Moldova took part in the recent Assembly of Hierarchs of the Russian Orthodox Church.

“The weighty contribution of our churches to inter-religious peace and dialog also helps the solution of social and humanitarian problems and reduces extremist and other negative trends in the society,” he said.

The Russian Orthodox Church and the Russian state administration have a unique partnership, which has assisted the establishment of democratic principles of religious freedom, Medvedev said.

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