November 20, 2018, in the days Dzheorguyba — a national holiday in honor of St. George in Vladikavkaz took place the already traditional St. George read, reports patriarhiei. The organizer of the conference, which was held for the seventh time, made the Vladikavkaz diocese, with the support of the North Ossetian state University. K. L. Khetagurov, of the Institute of history and archaeology of North Ossetia-Alania, ANO “Vladikavkaz spiritual and educational center”, with the participation of the South Ossetian research Institute. Z. N. Vaneeva.
In the plenary session in the hall of UNESCO sogu participated state and public figures, clergymen, representatives of creative and scientific intelligentsia of North and South Ossetia, Moscow and regions of Russia.
With a salutatory word to participants addressed the Archbishop of Vladikavkaz and Alania Leonid.
“The objective of the researcher is obvious that the history of Alanya-Ossetia cannot be studied in isolation from the history of Orthodoxy in this land. We all know about the role of the Church in the organization of schooling in the development of culture in the formation of the Ossetian intellectuals, the importance of Ardon theological Seminary, noted, in particular, the ruling Hierarch. — Is was what happened in Ossetia integration processes without the initial involvement of the Church? Obviously, no”.
“Closer is the most important event — the celebration of the 1100th anniversary of the baptism of Alanya, which can be worthy of mention only when the harmonious cooperation of Church and society, reminded the Archbishop Leonid. — Undoubtedly, the preparation for the festivities, designed to demonstrate the immutability of the spiritual and the political choice of Alan-Ossetians, the unity of the multinational and multiconfessional people of North and South Ossetia, requires the active participation of the state, religious and public organizations and all citizens aware of the necessity of preserving and augmenting the best in the traditional culture. That is why it is so important to discuss in the framework of the forum the plans for the anniversary celebrations, to bring a new level of interaction between religious communities and state institutions.”
“To the anniversary date, we must come with the scientific literature, spanning more than a thousand years of the history of the Orthodox Alania-Ossetia, — said the Archpastor. — Without the support and participation of the scientific community we can not do; for its part, in this case, we will assist you and are already working in this direction.”
“The priority directions of our work include the preservation of cultural heritage, continued the Archbishop Leonid. — We firmly believe that it is impossible to focus exclusively on the preservation of monuments of Church architecture, should be set the task of salvation of the whole complex of extant cultural objects, and the diocese is ready to contribute to the solution.”
“The Russian Orthodox Church — for his native Ossetia, because she’s two and a half centuries ago took the trouble of rebirth of the Alanian Christianity. This strategic goal includes the publication of religious literature in the Ossetian language, active participation of the Church in national life, the search for answers to spiritual and moral queries of the younger generation. The long-awaited introduction of the Ossetian language in liturgical practice, of course, goes far beyond intra-Church activities and became one of the most important steps in the conservation and development of the Ossetian language and musical culture,” said Archbishop Leonid.
In the plenary session were read a welcome address of the President of South Ossetia A. I. Bibilov, who witnessed the commitment of the leadership and people of the Republic to the values of Orthodoxy. “You know, what is the role of Christianity in the lives of the people of the Republic of South Ossetia, — said the head of State of Alanya. — With the official adoption of Orthodoxy Alania forever became an integral part of the Eastern Christian world.”
On behalf of the government of the Republic of North Ossetia — Alania with a welcoming speech to the participants addressed the Chairman of the Parliament A. V. Machnev.
The plenary lectures were:
- rector of the Moscow architectural Institute Professor Shvidkovsky D. O. — “the Orthodox Church and a new space architecture”;
- senior research fellow, Institute of history and archaeology RSO-Alaniya, Deputy General Director of the National Museum of North Ossetia — Alania M. E. service — “the Baptism of Alanya in the Nartovian epos.”
Archbishop Leonid gave a Patriarchal award, the jubilee medal “In commemoration of the 100th anniversary of the restoration of the Patriarchate in the Russian Orthodox Church” — state and public figures, representatives of clergy and the academic community.
Further reading continued to work on sections “of the Ossetian language at the turn of the Millennium” and “the Alanian Orthodoxy — history and modernity”.
Following the forum a resolution was adopted. The document notes the special role of Orthodox Christianity in the history of Alanya and the importance of the preservation of interreligious and interethnic harmony as the most important traits that have long characterized the Alanian society.
The participants of the readings have testified the significance of the date of the 1100th anniversary of the baptism of Alanya to strengthen the spiritual unity of the North and South of Alanya and the necessity of their cooperation in issues of national, cultural and religious construction, and stressed the need to intensify the efforts of the Church, public authorities, creative intelligentsia, the General public in preparation for the nationwide celebration of the 1100th anniversary of the baptism of Alania in accordance with the decree of the President of Russia V. V. Putin, 14 October, 2017
Praising the dialogue of the Vladikavkaz diocese and high school in North Ossetia, including in terms of formation of the system of theological education at the North-Ossetian state University name K. L. Khetagurov, the participants of the conference stressed the importance of cooperation of the Church with the scientific community of the Republic of North Ossetia — Alania, the Republic of South Ossetia, Russian regions and foreign countries to ensure robust academic base of Church and community initiatives, as well as to study the feat of saints from different eras, lived or particularly revered in Alanya.
The resolution welcomes efforts to revive the system of national education in the Ossetian language (preschool and school) and noted the national importance of the translation of the Holy Scriptures in Ossetian language.
The participants of the conference pointed out the scientific and ethical failure of attempts to reject the contribution of Christianity in Ossetian traditional culture and expressed concern about the attempts of quasi-religious forces to provoke the anti-Christian sentiment and thus to destabilize the society.