"Russia Has Managed to Preserve the Christian-Islamic Model of the Universe"

 

Christianity, Islam, and other religions have coexisted peacefully in our country for centuries. The idea of mutual respect and coexistence is fundamental to Russian civilization, and Russia has valuable lessons to offer in this regard. This topic was discussed by participants in the session "The Spiritual and Moral Space of the Russian World: Traditions, Challenges, Prospects" at the XVI Assembly of the Russian World. Archpriest Fyodor Petrovich Povny (Belarus), Chairman of the Synodal Department of the Russian Orthodox Church for Cooperation with Secular Educational Institutions, emphasized that only genuine love for people ensures interethnic and interfaith peace in society. At the same time, this love must be sincere. The priest believes that the Russian World is rooted in a sincere and pure soul. He is convinced that "the Russian World is the path of the righteous," which places serious obligations on those who follow it. Feodor Afanasov, President of the Chamber for Economic and Cultural Cooperation between Russia and Romania, an Old Believer from Romania, conveyed "warm greetings" from the Romanian Lipovans. His speech focused on the destruction of traditional values and the violation of moral norms in modern Europe. In his opinion, when Europe allows gender changes from the age of 8 and actively supports such practices, it is no longer about abstract rights but an attempt to change people's mindset. Afanasov stated that this cannot be viewed calmly because "it already affects our children." The representative of the Old Believer community reminded that Lipovans have lived in Romania for 300 years. "Thank God, we have preserved the Russian language, the Russian spirit — all thanks to our Holy Church... And if we, like an island, have preserved all this for 300 years, I am confident we will be able to overcome all threats together," he emphasized.

Deputy Chairman of the Council of Muftis of Russia, Rushad Abbyasov, dedicated his speech to the anti-religious values and laws imposed in the West. Meanwhile, he is convinced that traditional values cannot be abandoned: a family is a union between a man and a woman; it cannot be otherwise if we wish to preserve people's spiritual morality. The mufti noted that, in Russia, different peoples have lived in peace and harmony for centuries. He welcomed everyone present in "our multinational and multi-religious country, where there have never been interreligious wars and conflicts. This is our wealth."