Russian Orthodox Church: 1991-2011

Moscow, St. Petersburg, Perm, Rostov-on-Don, Krasnoyarsk, Samara, Novosibirsk and Novgorod are marking a start of the ecclesiastic-public project "The Russian Orthodox Church: A round-up of 20 years. 1991-2011".

Vladimir Legoyda, Chairman of the Synodical Information Department of the Moscow Patriarchy

The topic of our exhibition is "The Russian Orthodox Church: A round-up of 20 years. 1991-2011". This year the exhibition, or better to say forum, is as usual a special anniversary event and we are trying to understand the path the church has been on in the last 20 years. On the one hand, 20 years of ecclesiastical history is not much. On the other hand, there is great difference in the state of church in 1991.Today we are in one of the country's best press centers, which we could not dream of in 1991. Neither could we expect the attention of the mass media.

Figures tell us a lot. The Russian Orthodox Church had about 12,000 laities, 117 monasteries, 2 clerical academies, 7 clerical seminaries, 12 clerical colleges and 4 regent schools. In 2011 the church has 30,675 laities, 29,324 priests, 3,850 deacons, 805 monsateries, the number of clerical schools increased as well. We understand (and Holy Partirach Kirill and the Holy Churches keep telling us about it) that we are beginning our path. We understand that the number of temples we consider insufficient does not speak of their condition.

We hope our exhibition would help us start a deep, serious, substantial dialogue, because we are indeed on the edge of a new stage. The church is active in the social sphere, education and other spheres where cooperation of the church and society is necessary. Thus, the ROC contributes to the solution of topical social problems, such as the demographic problem, many social problems and education problems. The church takes responsibility for society, first of all moral upbringing, and views existing problems as part of this.

Archimandrite Tikhon, Executive Secretary of the Patriarchal Council for Culture, Priest of the Moscow Sretensky Monastery

This year, with the blessing of the Holy Patriarch, we are presenting a totally new exhibition. It will be computerized and interactive. You can spin 27 huge globes, zoom in any region. Here is, for example, the European part of the country, we can look into any eparchy and see films, photos, temples - anything the eparchy may tell. From Chukotka to Antarctica we may watch almost any laity.

The exhibition will continue further development because it is needed. We were invited to Ukraine and Russian regions. That is why we are working with two companies - Restek, which has been hosting the exhibition for 10 years, and Bombat - we are preparing to host the exhibition in various places. This is only a part of our plans.

First of all, I would like to thank everyone who allowed realization of all the projects: the Moscow government, which has been offering all facilities of the city, including advertising, including the Manezh, and a lot more for such exhibitions to exist; to thank Rostelecom with its President Alexander Provotorov, to thank the Fund of Vasily Veliky the Enlightener, a representative of which, Constantine Malofeyev , is present here. A major sum was provided for the project, but Christians understand that it is indeed very important and interesting to see what we have done with the help of the Lord, who has blessed the achievements of the last 20 years. It will not be a "fanfare" exhibition, it will not be funny triumphs ("funny" in the sense that doing triumphant activities is funny).

Following the exhibition there will be a serious conference, among the laity and clergy. The theme for discussions will be "Topical problems of modern life of the Russian Orthodox Church". And here we will introduce truly lively, sometimes sore and serious problems. In addition, a grand Internet website will be opened for the exhibition. You will be able to enter the exhibition, observe interactive expositions, send yours to the virtual exhibition, send requests, approve or disapprove of what a certain sphere of the Russian Orthodox Church is doing, give advice (there will be forums). Generally, it will be a high-scale, serious website.

11.11.2011 / Author: VK