24 July 2018 in the International multimedia press center MIA “Russia today” in Moscow held a press-conference devoted to the 1030-th anniversary of the baptism of Rus, reports patriarhiei.
The event was attended by Chairman of the Synodal Department for Church and society and the media V. Legoida, head of the Press service of the Patriarch of Moscow and all Russia priest Alexander Volkov, head of the national policy and interregional relations of the city of Moscow, V. I., Suchkov and Professor of St. Tikhon Orthodox humanitarian University V. I. parsley.
“The baptism of Rus’ — the event is very vivid, dramatic and extremely alive. Such events very easily become a book, and then, with all the understanding of their scale and importance, lost their inner nerve. If we perceive ourselves as heirs of Prince Vladimir, then it behooves us not just to think about it and about the occurred 1030 years ago event, but also to follow in life to the moral vector, which they were asked,” said V. Legoida.
The Chairman of Department on interrelations of the Church with society and the media recalled the words spoken by Prince Vladimir after the adoption of Christianity: “I was the beast, and became man.” According to V. R. Legoyda, the phrase might well apply to the whole society of that time.
Priest Alexander Volkov elaborated on the planned program in Moscow on the Day of the baptism of Rus: “In the Cathedral square of the Moscow Kremlin will gather several thousand parishioners of Moscow and Moscow region, after the service at 12.30 PM starts the procession, headed by his Holiness Patriarch of Moscow and all Russia Kirill and his Beatitude Pope and Patriarch Theodoros II. Divine services will be performed in all churches of the Russian Orthodox Church. At 12.15 in all Moscow churches will sound the bells”.
According to the Chairman of Department on interrelations of the Church with society and the media V. R. Legoyda, the feast of the Baptism of Rus is a common celebration for all the brotherly peoples of historical Rus.
“This day will be celebrated the fullness of the Orthodox Church, the center of the celebration will be Kyiv, Minsk, Moscow, Chisinau and other cities of the countries in the area of pastoral care of the Russian Church,” he said.
“In the Kiev baptismal font baptized the forefathers of the brotherly peoples of historical Rus. Today these people due to various causes divided by the political boundaries, and we respect those boundaries, but they must not pass on to our hearts”, — concluded Vladimir Legoyda.