Death from coronavirus Abbot of the Epiphany Cathedral, Archpriest Alexander Ageikin (the same one who said on television: “it is Impossible to fear God more than disease”) caused many of the believers. The situation with coronavirus we talked with the rector of the Church of the new Martyrs and Confessors of Russia, built on the site of the mass graves at Butovo, a member of the HRC Kirill Kaledos.
Kirill Glebovich, in some regions near the temples of the faithful were detained by the police. You think this is legal?
– in General, there are enormous questions to the legitimacy of all these restrictive measures that were introduced. In some regions, under the pretext of fighting the virus violated many rights of citizens. Unfortunately.
After the end of the pandemic to society have a “debriefing”. How do we let the Constitution ceased to work, turned into a beautiful little book!
let me Explain my point. According to the Constitution the fundamental rights and freedoms can be restricted when a state of emergency. They have not been introduced. In accordance with the law on emergency measures imposed during the regime of increased readiness (this is the regime introduced in many regions of the country) must not limit the freedoms and rights of citizens.
Yes, we are all aware of the risks incurred by the pandemic. But what happens? The Orthodox obey the requirements of self-isolation, did not go to Church on Easter (April 19), and the Communists three days later (April 22) held a demonstration in red square in honor of the 150th anniversary of the birth of Lenin. The government urged the faithful to stay home and actually at the same time had negotiated the procession to unbelievers.
Why the Jews and Muslims over reacted calmly to the constraints than the Orthodox?
– Mosque and synagogue – the place of prayer, and to pray and at home. For the Orthodox, the temple – the place of Commission of worship where the sacrifice. And participation in the Liturgy is not just prayer.
How many churches in total were closed for Easter?
– no Such statistics. In General, the word “close” in the recommendations of the clergy was not, thank God. It was recommended to conduct worship services without the presence of the congregation. That is, the temple, the clergy and volunteers that are needed, for example, for online broadcast. Responsibility for the recommendations lies with the superiors.
– you Know, that Muscovites went on the night before Easter in churches in Moscow that were open to all comers.
I never went to other temples (to comply with requirements of isolation). Know that in most churches in Moscow, the recommendations were being implemented. But I can tell only about our.
– how did you go?
– Usually at the Easter night service comes under 1000 people, and this time it was a few dozen. With a smaller number we could not – we have two choirs. We need more people in order during the procession to carry the cross and icons to provide the sound.
We broadcast the service in the instagram. While this form is not familiar to our parishioners, so that the stream I watched only 130 people.
Note that in some countries – in particular in Greece and Italy – all have been discontinued services. One Greek nun said something like: “If we can’t come to the temple, we’ll do that in each house was a temple.” Indeed, this practice was on Easter even we know large families who made processions around their homes.
once, when I was still a layman, conducted the service in the Easter expedition ship. We went during Holy week in the Mediterranean sea between Syria and Cyprus. And in the night, I went to our ship in procession, to herself sung appropriate hymns. It was during Soviet times, so I don’t advertise this action.
HELP-MK: Kirill Kaleda graduated from the geological faculty of Moscow state University, worked as a researcher in the Geological Institute of the Russian Academy of Sciences. Took part in many expeditions, including in Syria (had been in the village of Maaloula, where they speak Aramaic – the same language spoken by Christ). Candidate of geological-mineralogical Sciences”.
“do Not think that the Church is the congregation of the saints”
the Holiday is over, and some churches are still not allowed the faithful.
And before Easter was a recommendation to close the gates programowych territories and to inform believers about the limitations. Then came the second prescription of the medical officer, where restrictions until 28 April. It is Tuesday, the day of rejoicing. According to Church canons in this day begins the commemoration of the dead. Usually on the day of rejoicing in the temples going to a lot of people. This year it was decided that it is dangerous in terms of pandemic. I believe that the regime limiting worship attendance to be extended further.
can’t you make it so that people in the Church stood at a distance from each other, so they gave out masks, etc.?
– We did just that. Spaced (as you can put people observing the distance in 1.5 meters – MK) inside the temple. Purchased, despite the difficult financial situation, disposable masks and gloves that were distributed to those who have them not.
in General, the constraints can and should be treated wisely. For example, in front of our Church a large area – car Parking. We started to lay out (where to put people), preparing a broadcast on the street. But we were not allowed. Police encouraged “not to draw” loud sounds of citizens, not to create a crowd of people. That is, we could hold a service for everyone under the open sky. But the rector of the Church on Pokrovka couldn’t – there’s nowhere to put people on the street.
you should Always proceed from the principle of reasonableness.
Do you think it makes sense to close all the temples, if the pandemic will increase?
– What does “closing temples”? In the XIX century, when it was epidemic, the Church was closed, is Now, thank God, temples are not closed. The services are held, but no members.
Understand the pain of Alexander’s father (now deceased), who shortly before his death he gave an interview and said that it is impossible to isolate themselves from God, but also reminded of the words of the Savior: “thou shalt Not tempt the Lord Thy God.” But I understand his Holiness, who said that he always encouraged people to come to the temple, and now urged to follow the restrictions for the sake of love for one’s neighbor. And he adopted a rigid instruction to the rectors of the parishes and households, igumenia abbots and monasteries of the Moscow diocese because of the threat of the spread of coronavirus infection. The infected priests, parishioners, too.
We are people too. Do not think that the Church is the congregation of saints. It is said that this congregation of sinners who repent. And the mood in the Church reflect the state of our society.
One of my friend living in USA, go to the temple nearby. They have a sick deacon. Pricesonline he got sick. And three members who talked with him after the service and get. Here is the Providence of the Lord.
“the Conviction should not be”
– Among the recommendations of the Patriarch – mandatory rubbing alcohol licy after each partaker. But in some churches went further – even the miraculous icon of alcohol wipe clean.
– Indeed in the history of the Church there have been many cases of miraculous healing in front of the icons. People prayed and asked for including health. On the other hand, there is a commandment – thou shalt not tempt the Lord. Because of the pandemic, we have to use disposable cups back after communion. As for the icons… We always rubbed them with some frequency, though, because the glass stains remain, and it’s just ugly. I’m sorry, but we in the Church bought a five-gallon cans of alcohol before the virus. We dilute it and add flavor, obtained a disinfectant solution. Earlier in many churches for this purpose was used the Cologne.
some churches started to allow only the elite (seen as the back drove cars with flashing lights). What do you think?
– Right to religion – equal for all. Perhaps there were good reasons for it to the Abbot allowed some of the officials. Not knowing the situation, do not judge. I’m sure that the vast majority of priests want to serve and serve ordinary people. We have��are advised to note the violations of human rights and freedoms, however, should not be condemned. For this we need to have a very great love.
You once said that “Butovo trenches” us to this call.
– Yes, that’s right. Indeed, in these ditches lie near the priest-Martyr and people like Latsis – people who were massacred during the civil war.
the Most difficult years – they are behind. And the time of a pandemic – it is, I hope, will soon end.
– your temple will bloom this year are the apples?
– a must! For gardens caring believers. Let me remind you, before 1995, this area was protected by the bodies of state security of the facility. High fence, barbed wire, armed KGB (later FSB). On the site of secret mass graves in the 70-ies planted an Apple orchard. Apples are very tasty and juicy! I anywhere more such did not meet….
FROM the FILES in MK: “Butovo has become the last refuge for 20 762 people. So, according to the acts on the enforcement of sentences, was here shot in 1937-1938”.
