Interviews Metropolitan Valentine of Suzdal and Vladimir to "International Radio Canada"
Strange as it may seem, persecution of Orthodox Christians in the Russian Federation is still taking place. We are talking about the faithful of the Russian Orthodox Autonomous Church under the jurisdiction of Metropolitan Valentine of Suzdal and Vladimir, who do not belong to the Moscow Patriarchate. In February, the Court of Arbitration of the Vladimir Region decided to take 13 churches away from the ROAC. During his recent visit to North America, Metropolitan Valentin gave an interview to Yevgeny Sokolov of International Radio Canada.
- Your Eminence, I know that your were given the use of churches that, in reality, were just ruins, and that you restored them on your own. Is that so?
- Yes.
- Were you expecting this kind of decision from the court?
- Well, you know that over the past twenty years, the fate of the Russian Orthodox Autonomous Church has not been an easy one. There was constant friction, constant nagging, constant requests for more information... But, in spite of everything, we managed to restore almost twenty churches in Suzdal and the surrounding area. Before they were given to us, no one cared. They were just ruins. After we restored them, they immediately began to send different commissions, scrutinizing documents; first threats, and then a lawsuit. And in March, it will be one year since these law suits began. Rather than thanking us for the work that we did, they filed a lawsuit.
- Well, it is clear that the reason for these persecutions is the fact that you do not belong to the Moscow Patriarchate. Moreover, this is the second stage of persecutions, because I know that there was a campaign of defamation, arson, and that physical acts were made against you; I know that you have suffered physically. Incidentally, have the persecutions against your person stopped?
- Unfortunately, they are still going on. Earlier, they wrote blasphemous graffiti on our churches and churchyard fences... set fire to the houses, where our monastics reside - elderly person, with disabilities. My house was set on fire, as well. Later, there was an attempt on my life... Thank God, for Vladyka Feodor, who saved me... Then came the police and an ambulance, they made a report, but the ofenders were not found.
- Do you still receive threats?
- Right now - yes, over the phone, or just walking down the street, they say to me: "You should be shot, people like you should be hanged..." Or, also over the phone they say things like: "Well, you're still alive? The bullet didn't reach you yet? Don't worry! It'll get to you! Get ready!" Such remarks as these.
- Did you report them to the authorities?
- Certainly. Each time they write a report, but alas, no results! They take no action.
- Rosimuschestvo, the agency that is suing you, is a state agency. The Institute of Religion and Law stated that there is an attempt to eliminate one of the Orthodox Churches in Russia. In fact, this is a violation of the constitutional right of believers to religious freedom, since the court decision clearly prevents the free exercise of religion. Recently, President Dmitry Medvedev of the Russian Federation said during the enthronement of Patriarch Cyril, that there is freedom of conscience in Russia now, and that there is a new stage of relations between Church and State. He, as the president of the country, must be the guarantor of freedom of conscience. Do you intend to appeal to him?
- Did you know that when Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin was still president, we made repeated appeals, but without result. We turned to the Minister of Justice, asking him to contact the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the Minister of the Interior Ministry, the Attorney General... all without result. Our voice is the of one crying in the wilderness.
- Will you appeal to president Medvedev?
- We will. We recently wrote a letter, and are now collecting signatures and will deliver it personally. Maybe they will accept it; maybe not. The court ruling has already taken place, but in any case, we wrote, and will write, and will continue to seek, by any means necessary, to be heard. If he is truly the guarantor of the Constitution, let him defend the rights of believers. Moreover, there is the law that churches must be used for religious purposes only. And Rosimuschestvo is taking them all away from us. Is Rosimuschestvo going to hold services in these churches? No. They have no right to use these churches as a warehouses. So, they take them away from us, and then give them to the Vladimir diocesan administration of the Moscow Patriarchate, because in their eyes we are second or third class people. But the state religion is the Moscow Patriarchate, and priority is given to it.
- Vladyka, the Institute of Religion and Law in the Slavic Legal Center believes that the court decision could be appealed to the European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg. Do you intend to continue this case?
- Definitely. We will stop at nothing. I am worried about my faithful. This Sunday, about 150 people gathered, and some were ready to give their lives. One woman even said she was 80 years old, and had nothing left to lose. She wanted to pour kerosene over herself and set fire to herself in protest. We begged her not to commit such a horrible deed... So sure, we'll write and appeal to every department until we accomplish our goal.
- As I understand it, you can count on the support of your flock?
- Of course, and now that they know about the decision of the court, there are three times as many people coming; even those who did not come before, or came once or twice a year. We also receive statements of support such as: "Oh, Vladyka, where is their conscience? We know you, well, brace yourself, we will pray..." This is how these conversations go.
- Vladyka, another question. The Russian Orthodox Autonomous Church is not the only church which does not accept ecclesiology of the Moscow Patriarchate, but the Russian True Orthodox Church under the jurisdiction of Vladyka Tikhon (of Omsk and Siberia) does not accept it either. At one time, you both belonged to the Russian Church Abroad, then, unfortunately, there were some differences. Perhaps, in this situation it might be worth thinking about joining forces, and, incidentally, in the autumn, during the RTOC Council, their Council supported the Suzdal believers, and they called for all fragments of the former Orthodox Church Abroad, who have not accepted union with MP, to gather forces, begin a dialogue and unite. Are you ready to respond to this call?
- Well, this question is a very difficult one. From our side, there are, of course, no objections. Especially since we do not have such big differences between us. Unfortunately, we preach love, but do not display it. We talk about the purity and truth of our faith, and fight, not for the truth, not for purity, but because we are afraid of losing our positions, afraid of losing relevance. This is very bad. Certainly, it would be nice if all gathered around the table, as they say. It would not be possible to solve all of these issues at one meeting, but the second time, or third time, eventually we'll be able to unite, and serve together. Take, for instance, the diocesan administration. It might be arranged where there would be one bishop in one diocese, in Krasnodar - one bishop, and in the Stavropol - another one, in Moscow - another one. But when they meet - they would serve together. And we'd do the same thing. So, let there be one in Odessa, one in Siberia, one in Suzdal... The main thing is that between us there should be brotherly love. And then, with time, we could meet and choose, as they say, the first among bishops.
- Vladyka, what is the problem? No one Can no one take the first step?
- Apparently not. Unfortunately, I have distanced myself a bit from it all because I see them fighting among themselves, anathematizing each other, denouncing each other, not recognizing each other, and in general, not showing "brotherly love." I look at it from the outside, and fear comes over me. So far, no one does anything.
- Well, clearly, we have jurisdictions, where they think that they are the only ones to have Grace, and everyone else is schismatic. But, if you talk about the Russian True Orthodox Church - RTOC - led by Vladyka Tikhon, they are not like that. I believe that there are no ecclesiastical differences between us. And they have made an appeal to all of the splinter groups of ROCA, and in particular, to you, too. Are you ready to respond to this call?
- Of course we are. Please let them come, or invite us - we will come for a meeting. You see, even in this jurisdiction of Archbishop Tikhon, again, a schism took place recently, just like in the Greek Churches. Once there are three, four, or five bishops gathered together, they split again, and form a new synod - and the Russian jurisdictions are following in their footsteps. Unfortunately, this is far from laudable.
- Well, at least those who can and are willing to begin the dialogue, probably should start it, in my opinion. I understand that your first priority is to defend your churches. I wish you success in this fight.
- Thank you very much. I ask your prayers. With the help of God, I hope everything will be fine.
RADIO CANADA INTERNATIONAL
February 27, 2009.
Suzdal Diocesan Herald # 129