Photo: goragospodnya.ru
28 September 2018 in the city of Kizlyar (Dagestan), Archbishop of Makhachkala and Grozny Varlaam headed the procession from Holy cross convent to of St. George’s Cathedral, dedicated to the celebration of 283 th anniversary of the founding of the city, according to patriarhiei.
In solemn procession was attended by chief Federal inspector for the Republic of Dagestan of the apparatus of the Plenipotentiary in the North Caucasus Federal district Alexei Hasanov, first Deputy head of Administration of head and government of Dagestan Vladimir Derevianko, the head of Kizlyar Alexander Shuvalov, the head of the Kizlyar district Alexander Pogorelov, the head of the Tarumovsky district, Alexander Zimin, members of the Committee on freedom of conscience, cooperation with religious organizations of Dagestan, representatives of the Cossacks, public figures, members of labor groups, clergy and laity of the diocese of Makhachkala.
Procession with the ikon of the feast of the exaltation of the Holy cross, St. George the victorious with the relics of the Holy and righteous John the Russian, the Confessor, with relics, collected more than two thousand Orthodox believers who have overcome the path length of over 5 kilometers.
On the site of the temple in honor of the Kazan icon of the Mother of God, once located on the territory of the Kizlyar fortress was committed to STS and lifted up a prayer to the blessed virgin Mary. Next stop, the procession was on the site of the terrorist attack of 2010, which Archbishop Barlaam made a doleful litany for the dead. Then the procession stopped at the historic site of the Kizlyar Holy cross monastery.
The procession ended at the walls of St. George’s Cathedral. At the place of burial of parishioners killed in an armed attack on February 18 of this year, Archbishop Barlaam made a doleful litany.
“Religious procession on the eve of the Day of the city of Kizlyar has become our good tradition. We draw to God the prayers that sanctified the earth of his native city, which shed blood and sweat of our ancestors, to build this city and praying that their descendants retained a strong faith in God… a Symbol of human life, seeking God and willing to bear his cross, is the procession. Here we were today, under the sign of the cross, moved by the joy and love of God, thanks Him for what He has done for us upon the cross and known to us the mystery of eternity, — said, in particular, the Archpastor. — God grant that the town of Kizlyar was standing by faith and prayer, all of us, Orthodox and Muslims, was an example of true love and brotherly kindness”.
The Archbishop reminded those present of the tragic events of February 18, which killed five parishioners of St. George’s Cathedral, and awarded the members of the security forces repelled an attack by terrorist.
By decree of his Holiness Patriarch of Moscow and all Russia Kirill in consideration of the courage shown during the defence of Orthodox Christians in the city of Kizlyar, the medal of the order of the Russian Orthodox Church the Glory and Honor of the I degree was awarded employee of Regardie Sergeant Soltan-He hizriyev and the police officer Sergeant Magomed Ramazanov. In the ensuing battle both were seriously injured, but managed to eliminate the offender and to prevent the deaths of even more people.
Also the blessing of his Holiness Patriarch Kirill of victims and bereaved families were presented with the icons of the resurrection of Christ.
A memorial had Hope and Natalia Kushnareva Pletuhin, as well as the relatives of the victims Hope Terlien, Faith Blinnikova, Faith Morgunova and Lyudmila Shcherbakova.
In memory of the feat Irina Melkumova have become the way terrorist have been killed by his hand, given to her, the icon will forever remain in Svyato-Georgievsky Cathedral.