Army and laity united by one motivation

Philosophers often mention the conflict of spiritual and cultural traditions in discussions of Russia’s fate. Both traditions are difficult to define. It seems natural for the Eurasian country with mingled cultures, social priorities, inter-ethnic marriages, intertangling of traditional religions and heathen beliefs. Forming contemporary traditions, ideologists try to consider also a generation gap – the anthem with the Soviet melody and the “acute” text.

For several years almost at the official level August 2 is marked as the Day of the Prophet Elijah and Airborne Forces. When on August 2, 1930, an Airborne Forces unit was air dropped near Voronezh, few people thought about the Prophet. Modern soldiers are too hardly interested in life of Elijah who prepared appearance of Christ on Earth. Of course troopers like not Christian image of Elijah, but his heathen image of the Thunderer – people’s fantasy placed the Thunderer to the sky where he drove a chariot and darted fire arrows.

On August 2 the Divine Liturgy took place in the Moscow church on the Ilyinka Street, and then the sacred procession moved to the Red Square, where troops of young fighters lined up – students of airborne schools from Ryazan, Tula, Smolensk, Khakasia, and Ingushetia. The sacred procession ended at the Place of where a prayer service was conducted.

Voskresensky Bishop read “the Word” of Moscow and all-Russian Patriarch: “For the tenth year the patron saint of Airborne Forces, Prophet Elijah gathers on the Ilyinka Street and the Red Square all people who care about Christian army and life of the Church. The festival which was born as a festival of the Ilyinka Street became the festival of whole Moscow, and considering Airborne Forces are present in every part of Russia, we can say that we participate in the all-Russian celebration connected with Prophet Elijah. Remembering the course of Prophet Elijah’s life, examples of his deeds, we can hope that even in such difficult times prays for the Prophet will bring us God’s love and support. I would like to congratulate the leadership of Airborne Forces and all troopers with Day of their patron saint and the 82nd anniversary of Airborne Forces formation. I wish you that the glory of Russian armament would never pale. I wish you your patron saint, Prophet Elijah would never leave you.”

The commander of Airborne Forces, Vladimir Shamanov: “Military traditions are formed by deeds of soldiers and officers on a battle field. Today we mark the tenth anniversary of the sacred procession in favor of our patron saint Prophet Elijah and another anniversary of Airborne Forces. Blessing of our Patriarch unites army and laity by one motivation – to protect our motherland, care about development and enrichment of traditions. Today on the Red Square, near walls of the Kremlin many generations of troopers gathered, starting for the Great Patriotic War, ending the young generation.”

The commandant of Gorsk Cadet School, Muza Ozdoyev, had festive mood as well: “Everything is nice, brightful, and the weather is fine. Our students, cadets, participated in such arrangements for the first time and we enjoyed it. We began training from July 1st. Children went for vacation, so we have to take them back. We lived in the cadet camp and trained everyday. Children did their best and everything was well-done.”