By Vestnik Kavkaza
Today, the exhibition-forum "Orthodox Russia - Day of National Unity. The Romanovs" will be opened in Moscow.
The exhibition is dedicated to the 400th anniversary of the Romanov dynasty and will become one of the central events in celebration of this event in Russia . During the reign of the Romanov dynasty, Russia experienced great events: the accession of Siberia and the Far East, building a new capital of St. Petersburg, the victory over Napoleon, the abolition of serfdom, the industrial revolution, and more. The country became an empire - one of the leading world powers. At this time, successful Arctic research was carried out, the Northern Sea Route was opened, and the greatest geographical discovery of Antarctica was made. There was a flowering of culture, named the "Golden Age" in Russian history: the world got to know Russian literature, music, painting, theatre and ballet. These and many other events, as well as the history of the life and reign of each monarch of the Romanov dynasty, will be presented in two dozen halls of the main exhibition space of the country. The central idea of the exhibition is gratitude to prominent figures of the Romanov dynasty and their associates for their contribution to strengthening Russian statehood.
According to Vladimir Legoyda , chairman of the Synodal Information Department of the Moscow Patriarchate, "over the years, the exhibition or rather a church social event has become indeed a notable public event, and I think you will agree that it has become a prominent media event. I would even say that it has reached an unprecedented level of public recognition for church activities.What is remarkable and important for us here is that at the center of the exhibition, there are prayer and discussion of socially important issues... You know that, traditionally, each year the exhibition "Orthodox Russia" brings Orthodox sanctuary. This year it will be Theodore Icon of the Mother of God which will be delivered to Manezh by the opening of the exhibition, and during the days when the exhibition will be open it will be possible to worship at any time during the exhibit”.
Speaking about the subject of the exhibition, Legoyda recalled: “A hundred years ago in our country, there were too many different forums. It is important that these forums could provide some proper lessons, because something that took place a hundred years ago did not deter us from the terrible events of the early XX century. So I very much hope that the theme of unity , that sounds today in the public field and in the media field , the theme of unity which will be heard at our exhibition, it will be understood not as a unity against someone or a certain amount of hatred, but as it is always understood in Christianity - as the sum of unity and love, as a kind of respect and love towards one's neighbor and far.
On November 4, of course, the morning liturgy will be held, according to tradition, in the Assumption Cathedral of the Moscow Kremlin. At 9 o'clock in the morning His Holiness will meet the icon of the Mother of God. It will be at the Cathedral of the Assumption during the Divine Liturgy, and then, as I said, by the opening of the exhibition will be taken to Manezh. Then, at the end of the Divine Liturgy, His Holiness will participate in the opening of the Romanovsky obelisk in the Alexander garden".
