Candles, icons, bells, blessings: the Orthodox Church prays for Putin’s success
Moscow (AsiaNews) - After a dazzling inauguration ceremony
for his new term as president of Russia, Vladimir Putin has received
the blessing of Patriarch Kirill, strengthening the link between political
power and orthodox religious authorities. The
head of the Russian Orthodox Church held a special prayer service for the new
president's "health" and "success in government", describing
him as the "legitimate leader".
The
"Moleben" (prayer service) was held in the Cathedral of the
Assumption (see photo), a few steps from the throne room of St. Andrew, where
the czars were crowned and where the inauguration of president took place. The
Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia has expressed
his "warmest congratulations to you, Vladimir Vladimirovich, for your
election, given that the majority of our people, with wisdom and freedom, have
elected you President of the Russian
Federation" . Kirill
also recalled that the Kremlin is the place "where many of your pious
predecessors have taken part in the rituals of prayer to give an ever greater
service to their country."
At
the inauguration - which many Russians call the "coronation" - all
the bells of the Kremlin were rung for the entire ceremony which had been
restored just before the occasion.
Putin
was president of Russia
from 2000 to 2008, given the inability to appear for a third term - after
trying unsuccessfully to change the constitution - he passed the baton to
Dimitri Medvedev, taking for himself the role of prime minister. Now
that he has been elected President, he leaves the post of Prime Minister to Medvedev.
His
election last December - amid suspicions of fraud - has attracted much
criticism and demonstrations. Even
the day before his inauguration, May 6, a huge rally of opponents was held, which
ended with the arrest of over 400 people. Even yesterday there were
120 new arrests.
Groups
of Orthodox priests and believers were united in their criticism of Putin, but Patriarch
Kirill, while advising the government to listen to the demands of the
demonstrators, has always supported the re-election of Putin, praising him for
the support that he always gives to the Church .
On
the eve of the inauguration ceremony, Vladimir Putin visited the Novodevichy
Monastery, bringing a gift of an ancient icon of the Mother of God accompanied
by the abbess of the monastery, Hegumen Marguerite, and the Patriarch Kirill,
Putin took part in a
procession of the cross and then visited the crypt which contains the baptismal
font of holy Prince Vladimir - founder of Christianity in Russia - lighting a
candle before the icon of his patron.
The
Hegumen Marguerite told the new president in that church, the nuns sing the
psalms without 24 hours a day and pray for his health. For
his part, Vladimir Vladimirovich said that "without the Russian Orthodox
Church it is impossible to imagine a Russian state or Russian culture."
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07/01/2005
