When you read things like this, you have to ask yourself, "What is the bigger picture here?" Seems like a power play is afoot.
Orthodoxia I Thanatos!
Rostislav Mikhailovich Malleev-Pokrovsky
http://www.stetson.edu/~psteeves/relnews/0311b.html#11
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Religious leaders taking prominent role in reuniting former soviet republics
WITH GOD'S HELP.
Moscow and Tbilisi agree to accept mediation of patriarchs
by Kirill Vasilenko
Vremia novostei, 27 November 2003
In order to work out relations with the new leadership of Georgia the Kremlin intends to use even the brotherhood of faith that unites the Russian and Georgian Orthodox churches. This was explicitly shown in yesterday's meeting at Saint Daniel's monastery of the religious leaders of Russia, Georgia, Armenia, and Azerbaijan, after which the hierarchs were received by President Vladimir Putin. After thanking the Russian Patriarch Alexis II, Patriarch of all-Georgia Ilia II, Catholicos of all-Armenians Garegin II, and the head of Muslims of Azerbaijan Allakhshukiur Pasha-Zade for their desire to act as mediators in the resolution of political and international disputes, the head of the Russian state noted that such work of the clergy will help to create a base "which will permit politicians to solve the tasks facing them more effectively than we have managed to do up to the present." "The fact that the religious leaders have joined together for resolving the problems seems to me to be a very good sign," Vladimir Putin stressed.
Although the words of thanks were addressed to all the leaders, it seemed that the president was addressing them primarily to Ilia II. It was the Georgian patriarch who became the hero of yesterday's meeting and it was thanks to him that the secular authorities attached great significance to the conference within the monastery walls. This was not the first time the religious leaders of Russia, Armenia, and Azerbaijan have gathered in Moscow in order to check their positions on various conflicts in the Caucasus. Now the Georgian patriarch also has attached himself to the work of the peacemaking mission, which is considered in Russia a significant manifestation after several years of palpable coldness in relations between Moscow and Tbilisi. In addition, there is also the part played by the services of Ilia II in the victory of the "velvet revolution." Even before the leaders of foreign states, the patriarch called Eduard Shevardnadze to refrain from forceful measures and to agree with the opposition for a peaceful resolution, and he warned that the church was prepared to intervene in the political process to the extent that the "problems arising in the country go beyond the framework of the conflict of parties and take on a country-wide scope."
Ilia II himself also did not keep secret that before his departure from Georgia he agreed to take upon himself direct diplomatic responsibilities. "Before leaving for Moscow I met with the president of the Georgian parliament, Nino Burdzhanadze, who asked me to carry the message that the Georgian leadership is prepared to restore friendly relations with Russia and to extend its fraternal relations with Armenia and Azerbaijan," His Holiness declared.
In the final communique of yesterday's conference there was special emphasis placed on the readiness of the patriarchs of the Christian churches and the head of Muslims of Azerbaijan to use their influence in the future for resolving conflict situations for the sake of "directing the development of the nations in a peaceful course." "We insist that all existing problems be resolved on the basis of the standards of international law," the document that was published by the service of external church relations of the Moscow patriarchate says. "We call politicians to devote a new effort to dialogue directed to the rectification of all disagreements that are hindering a firm peace in the Caucasus. We declare that the religious leaders are prepared to take most earnest part in such a dialogue."
It cannot be ruled out, however, that soon even heads of other former republics of USSR may take recourse to the mediatorial aid of the religious leaders. The hierarchs intend to expand their circle in the near future. It is expected that in March a second interreligious peacemaking forum will be held in Moscow, for which all religious leaders of all countries of the commonwealth will receive invitations. (tr. by PDS, posted 27 November 2003)
APPEAL OF PARTICIPANTS OF PEACEMAKING MEETING OF RELIGIOUS LEADERS OF AZERBAIJAN, ARMENIA, GEORGIA, AND RUSSIA
Moscow, Saint Daniel's monastery, 26 November 2003
This is not the first time that religious leaders have gathered in Moscow in order to seek together for paths of cooperation for resolving conflicts and creating peace and harmony in the Caucasus region. The Armenian Apostolic and Russian Orthodox churches and the Islamic community of Azerbaijan have a years-long tradition of meeting at the highest level, and they have made their contribution to resolving international conflicts in the Caucasus. Today we welcome the inclusion in this process of the Georgian Orthodox church, which is renown for its ancient peacemaking traditions. We await with hope the conducting in Moscow on 2-4 March 2004 of the Second Interreligious Peacemaking Forum of the countries of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) and we call all religious leaders of these countries to take part in it.
The rational position of Muslim and Christian religious figures of the Caucasus and the maintenance of the Christian-Muslim dialogue in the region has prevented interethnic conflicts from growing into a total Christian-Islamic conflict. However in the Caucasus there still is tension: Abkhasia, Karabakh, Chechnya, South Osteia, the region of Tskhinvali remain bleeding wounds of our peoples. We thank the Almighty that today there is not in these regions any grand scale military actions. However, as in the past, forces bringing death and destruction are active. Blood flows as a result of terrorist acts and bandit attacks. Thousands of people suffer from lawlessness and chaos. The return to normal religious, social, economic, and political life of whole peoples is made difficult.
Terrorists, extremists, and political radicals try to use national and religious difference for achieving their goals that are alien to true religion. Thereby representatives of another
nationality or religion are made into the image of an enemy and one who believes differently or is a foreigner is represented as the main culprit in political instability, economic disaster, spiritual decline, and other evils befalling one or another nation. The struggle with people of a different nationality or religion is portrayed as a sacred task.
Such exploitation of national or religious ideals strengthens only a totalitarian nationalistic
ideology. This works for the benefit of those forces that are striving to drive religion out of the life of society and to sow distrust toward it. A true confession of faith leads not to enmity or national or religious pride but to sacrificial love, peacemaking, and good neighborliness.
Again we declare that terrorism cannot have a religious justification. The people who resort to it have dimmed the image of the Creator within their soul. States must do everything possible to put an end to the activity of extremist groups, especially those sent from outside the Caucasus region. In particular, it is necessary to establish control over weapons located in the region and to cut off the money flow that feeds terrorism.
We insist that all existing problems be resolved on the basis of standards of international law. We call politicians to devote new energy to a dialogue directed to the resolution of all disputes that are hindering solid peace in the Caucasus. We declare that religious leaders are prepared to take a most earnest part in such a dialogue.
In order to put an end to conflicts in the Caucasus and to direct the development of nations into a peaceful course it is necessary to restore trust of people for one another. For this, in particular, it is important to facilitate the integration of national minorities into all spheres of public life, to guarantee freedom of religious confession and religious activity for them, and to give them the opportunity to develop their own culture and their own language. We must not forget about refugees and forcibly displaced persons who wish to return to their own homes. Those who are guilty of massive murders of civilians must be punished in accordance with the law. However nobody should be subjected to unjust punishment or persecution. After all, even a person who has broken the law, and even more his family, has the right to humane treatment.
It is necessary to strive for the re-creation of the culture of the international community, which has always been so rich in the Caucasus. In connection with this we again wish to remind the powers that be, politicians, scholars, public leaders, and workers of culture and the news media that it is wrong to laud or demean a person on the basis of national or confessional identity. Each of us bears responsibility before the Creator and humankind for every spoken or printed word. We consider that the news media, especially the electronic media, are doing little for the support of interreligious and interethnic cooperation. It is necessary not to give a broad platform to extremists who are sowing strife and enmity, but to give it to those leaders of religious and ethnic communities who are proclaiming peace and who are inclined to dialogue with one another.
It is pleasant to see that the dramatic events in Georgia did not lead to bloodshed. This was facilitated to a great extent by the principled peacemaking position of the Georgian church. We see in the peaceful outcome of the recent events a promise of a noble resolution of other conflict situations in the Caucasus and we continue to raise our prayers for a prosperous and peaceful life of the Georgian people.
We want to remind everyone that a harmonious and noble life is unthinkable apart from solid moral bases. Our peoples always were strong in their loyalty to eternal moral values that the Creator revealed to us. These values formed our culture and our way of life. This is why today we must regenerate the moral bases of the life of the individual and society and decisively resist such vices as drunkenness, drug addiction, sexual depravity, crime, and the cult of violence and libertarianism. Faith and morality are inseparable tied to culture. We must devote every effort to the defense of the national cultural heritage, especially places for worship of God, shrines, and cemeteries. A person who is spiritual, moral, and cultured works for the best benefit to his nation and will live at peace with his neighbors.
Today we are appealing to the believers of our religions. Do not let the seeds of hatred for people of another faith or nationality be sown in your souls. Through prayer, fellowship, and joint labor heal the wounds inflicted by the conflicts. Remember that our nations have centuries-long experience of living together. Do not listen to those who incite hatred. They are pursuing their own goals, but you will suffer if you put yourself under their thumb.
In our prayers we ask the Almighty to establish our governors and our people in the way of peace and good neighborliness.
His Holiness Patriarch Alexis II of Moscow and all-Rus
His Holiness and Blessedness Catholicos-Patriarch of all-Georgia Ilia II
His Holiness Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of all-Armenians Garegin II
Chairman of the Supreme Religious Council of Peoples of the Caucasus, Spiritual head of Muslims of Azerbaijan Sheikh-ul-Islam Allakhshukiur Pasha-zade.
(tr. by PDS, posted 27 November 2003)
posted on the Portal-credo.ru website, 26 November 2003
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Unprecedented meeting of Putin with national religious leaders
THREE PATRIARCHS, A CAUCASIAN SHEIKH AND PRESIDENT PUTIN AGAINST BLOODSHED
by Nadezhda Kevorkova
Gazeta, 27 November 2003
Yesterday for the first time in history the head of Russia received a delegation of four religious leaders. Patriarch Alexis II, Catholicos Patriarch of all-Georgia Ilia II, Patriarch and Catholicos of all-Armenians Garegin II, and the chairman of the Supreme Religious Council of Peoples of the Caucasus, Sheikh-ul-Islam of Azerbaijan Allakhshukiur Pasha-zade signed a joint declaration and on the personal invitation of Vladimir Putin arrived at Novo-Ogarevo in order to discuss the problem of "pacification of the Caucasus."
An assemblage equal to yesterday's has been gathered in Russia only twice: for the funeral of Joseph Stalin and for the celebration of the millennium of the baptism of Rus. It is the first time such a religious assemblage has been called by the Russian government for resolving diplomatic tasks in the most conflict-ridden region of the former USSR. In the first minutes of the meeting Vladimir Putin reminded the clerics that "many nations have been living for a long time" in the Caucasus, and Christianity and Islam have common biblical roots which is evident even "from the favor with which Muslim guests view the Kremlin frescoes on biblical subjects." Alexis II, in his turn, reminded the authorities and the news media that "it is impossible to "laud or demean a person on the basis of national or confessional identity." Further discussion between the Russian president and religious leaders was behind closed doors, although a Gazeta reporter managed to discover several important details preceding and accompanying the meeting.
In an interview with Gazeta Metropolitan Kirill of Smolensk and Kaliningrad explained that the initiative for the meeting belongs to the Georgian and Russian churches, although the arrival of the Georgian patriarch in Moscow for the first time in the past fifteen years was in doubt right up to the last minute, as was confirmed by the protocol of the meeting with Vladimir Putin. Relations between the churches of Georgia and Russia were complicated by the secession of Abhkazia from Georgia and the demonstrative departure of the Georgian church from all international organizations, which happened in the nineties.
A warming in relations between the Russian and Georgian churches is now notable, as indicated by the participation of Alexis II and Ilia II in joint prayer, a fact confirmed for the Gazeta reporter by the press secretary of the Georgian hierarchy.
"I would not want for the rectification of Georgian problems to happen without Russia," Catholicos Patriarch of all-Georgia Ilia II told Gazeta.
"Do you support any authorities in Georgia at the present time?"
"I think that the Georgian Orthodox church will support that authority that is elected by the people."
"What is now the role of Shevardnadze and should he remain in Georgia?"
"That is necessary. He stated that he will support the authorities with his experience. I met with Shevardnadze and he now is in Georgia and intends to remain there."
"Do you think that Georgia should orient itself toward Russia?"
"I think that it is necessary to be oriented in many directions, and first of all, of course, toward neighboring states."
"Why did you take part in this meeting after so many years of determined separation?"
"Because this pertains to both Georgia, Abhkaziia, South Osetia and the region of Tskhinvali. I think that the present state in Georgia, that is, "neither war nor peace," should be halted and everyone should stay in their own places. The Georgian Orthodox church has taken an active part in rectifying the problems of Abkhazia and elsewhere. These question must certainly be corrected, but I would not want for them to be rectified apart from Russia or without Russia. I would hope that Russia would take an active part in this and that this would facilitate further friendly relations between Russia and Georgia."
"What role would you see for the Russian Orthodox church in such a case?"
"The Russian Orthodox church should help us to arrange for Metropolitan Daniil of Sukhumi and Abkhazia, who for several years has been located outside of his diocese, to return to his diocese and rule it in accordance with existing canons." (tr. by PDS, posted 27 November 2003)
Russia Religion News Current News Items
Will new Georgian leaders privilege Orthodoxy?
RELIGIOUS LEADERS DEAL WITH GEORGIA
Church will suggest what it expects from new authorities of the country
by Oleg Nedumov
Nezavisimaia gazeta, 26 November 2003
Patriarch Alexis II met today in Moscow with religious leaders of the Caucasus, Patriarch Catholicos of all-Georgia Ilia II, Patriarch Catholicos of all-Armenians Garegin II, and the head of the board of Muslims of Caucasus, the spiritual leader of Muslims of Transcaucasia Sheikh-ul-Islam Allakhshukiur Pasha-zade. This meeting had been planned long ago. Originally it was supposed to be held back in May of this year; however it had to be postponed because of Alexis II's illness.
The main topic of the meeting became rectifying the conflicts in the Caucasus. It seems, in light of recent events, the talk will primarily be about the situation in Georgia. Commenting on the resignation of the president of the country, Patriarch Ilia II stated in an appeal to the population of the country that in departing his post Shevardnadze saved the country from bloodshed. Monday evening the Georgian patriarch met with the ex-president. He said that Shevardnadze "feels fine; he views the future with optimism; he is very calm; and he intends to occupy himself with scholarly work and write memoirs."
One should note that under Eduard Shevardnadze the Georgian church received substantial privileges; Orthodoxy practically became the state religion in the country. However at the beginning of autumn the former president of Georgia strongly disappointed Orthodox believers by trying to conclude an inter-state pact with the Vatican which was supposed to make the rights of the Orthodox and Catholic churches practically equivalent. It is possible that it was this incident that forced the Georgian patriarchate to refrain from any, even mediatorial, support for Shevardnadze in his conflict with the opposition.
It cannot be ruled out that in the course of the talks with religious leaders in Moscow Ilia II will enumerate the conditions by whose fulfillment the opposition leaders will be able to count on a loyal attitude on the part of the Orthodox church. One could suggest that the Georgian patriarchate expects primarily from the future authorities of the republic guarantees of the maintenance of the special status of the Orthodox church and a rejection of any kind of support for new religious movements that are commonly called "sects." The last point has special significance since in the fires of political crisis the "Regeneration" party, headed by the Adzhari leader Aslan Abashidze declared that some opposition figures supposedly are financed by religious sects from Germany and France.
Yet another important topic that may be touched on in the course of the talks between Patriarch Alexis II and the religious leaders of the Caucasus is the creation of a council of heads of religious confessions of CIS, which would be a coordinating structure that will facilitate resolution of interreligious conflicts in post-soviet space. (tr. by PDS, posted 27 November 2003)
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Church leaders confront Caucasus crisis
PATRIARCH ALEXIS OPENS QUADRILATERAL PEACEMAKING MEETING DEVOTED TO RECTIFYING PROBLEMS IN CAUCASUS
Portal-credo.ru, 26 November 2003
On 26 November at St. Daniel's monastery a quadrilateral peacemaking meeting of religious leaders of Azerbaijan, Armenia, Georgia, and the Russian federation was begun, "Sedmitsa.ru" reports.
The talks were opened with an appeal by Patriarch Alexis II of Moscow and all-Rus. In his speech the patriarch noted that this is not the first time meetings of leaders of the Caucasus have been conducted, and usually the Armenian Apostolic church and the Ecclesiastical Board of Muslims of the Caucasus participate in them along with the Russian Orthodox church. This year the Georgian Orthodox church also has joined the peacemaking process. The primate cordially greeted Patriarch Catholicos of all Georgia Ilia and, through him, the flock of the Georgian church.
In his response the patriarch catholicos of all Georgia specifically said: "We are very disturbed by the current situation in the Caucasus, where there is neither peace nor war. The Caucasus cannot remain in such a state any longer. We must do everything possible that depends upon us for restoring the territorial integrity of our states, so that there can be complete mutual understanding and cooperation among our peoples. As you know, in recent days Georgia has experienced a very dangerous and difficult period. We thank the Lord that the blood of opposing forces has not been shed. Georgian President Eduard Shevardnadze made a courageous step and thereby saved Georgia from bloodshed. Before coming to Moscow I met with Georgian parliamentary President Nino Burdzhanadze, who asked me to relay the message that the Georgian leadership is prepared to restore friendly relations with Russia and to continue its fraternal relations with Armenia and Azerbaijan." Patriarch Ilia again praised the Lord that he could come to Moscow for the quadrilateral peacemaking conversations of the religious leaders of the Caucasus, which, he noted, have very great significance in light of the spread of terrorism in the world.
Terrorism was one of the most important items among the questions discussed in the course of the meeting. It was noted that terrorists, extremists, and radical political forces are trying to use national and religious differences among peoples for their selfish goals that are alien to religious values. Thereby representatives of another nationality or religion are made into the image of an enemy and one who believes differently or is a foreigner is represented as the main culprit in political instability, economic disaster, spiritual decline, and other evils befalling one or another nation. The struggle with people of a different nationality or religion is portrayed as a sacred task, but in essence such immoral exploitation of national or religious ideals strengthens only a totalitarian nationalistic ideology. Terrorism and extremism work for the benefit of those forces that are striving to drive religion as a formative factor in the worldview of every person out of the life of society and make it so that people treat it with distrust. On the contrary, a true confession of faith leads not to national strife or pride but to brotherly love, peacemaking, and good neighborliness.
It also was noted at the meeting that a rational position of religious leaders of Christianity and Islam in the Caucasus has kept political conflicts from being transformed into religious ones, although tension still remains there. In particular, Abkhazia, Karabakh, Chechnya, and South Osetia remain bleeding wounds in the Caucasus region where the blood of innocent people has flowed and where the population suffers from lawlessness and chaos.
A substantial part of the talks will be devoted to the search for peaceful ways to resolve the conflicts in the hot spots of the Caucasus. It is planned that the religious leaders of the Caucasus will adopt a joint statement at the conclusion of the quadrilateral peacemaking meeting. The peacemaking dialogue will be continued at the Second Interreligious Peacemaking Forum of CIS countries that will be held 2-4 March 2004 in Moscow. It is expected that religious leaders of all countries of the commonwealth will be invited to the forum. (tr. by PDS, posted 26 November 2003)
GEORGIAN CATHOLICOS ILIA II HOPES FOR SUPPORT OF RPTsMP IN RECTIFYING SITUATION IN CAUCASUS
Portal-credo.ru, 26 November 2003
For rectifying the situation in Georgia and the Caucasus as a whole Patriarch Catholicos of all-Georgia Ilia II hopes "for the help of God and for the prayerful support of the Russian Orthodox church," ITAR-TASS reports. Ilia II, who arrived today in Moscow for a quadrilateral meeting of religious leaders of the Caucasus under the mediation of RPTs, stated this during a meeting on 25 November with Patriarch Alexis II of Moscow and all-Rus that was held in the patriarchal residence on Chisty Lane.
Catholicos of all-Georgia Ilia II is sure of the unbreakable "spiritual unity" of Russia and Georgia, RIA-Novosti reports. Ilia II expressed regret that "in the course of ten years politicians have tried to erect an artificial barrier between Russia and Georgia," and he condemned radical nationalistic slogans that are aimed at alienating the fraternal peoples of Georgia and Russia, which have resounded "here and there in the recent past." "There are no divisions between the children of our churches just as there are none between the Russian and Georgian peoples." The catholicos said that "any attempts to create a confrontation between Russia and Georgia" are viewed negatively. "Believers of both countries remain and will abide in unbreakable spiritual and historic unity as children of ecumenical Orthodoxy who are joined by centuries-long friendship and a common faith," Patriarch Ilia II said. (tr. by PDS, posted 26 November 2003)
CATHOLICOS ILIA II MET WITH EX-PRESIDENT EDUARD SHEVARDNADZE
Portal-credo.ru, 25 November 2003
Patriarch Catholicos of Georgia Ilia II held a meeting on Monday, 24 November, in Tbilisi with former president Eduard Shevardnadze in his Krtsanisi residence, NTV television reports. This meeting was reported by the "Segodnia" program on NTV television, although the contents of the conversation remain unknown. The director of the press center of the patriarchate, Shorena Tetruashvili, confirmed for RIA Novosti that the catholicos met Shevardnadze in his residence on Monday. "The conversation was brief. It lasted approximately thirty minutes," Tetruashvili said, specifying that the meeting was held on the initiative of Ilia II, who wanted to see Shevardnadze. The patriarch catholicos reported that he decided "to meet Eduard Shevardnadze before my trip to Moscow," Izvestiia reports.
According to ITAR-TASS information, at a press conference the catholicos gave high praise to Shevardnadze's actions in the situation that has unfolded. Ilia II called the actions of Shevardnadze "a brave and noble step," which "saved Georgia from bloodshed." In an appeal to the people of Georgia that was broadcast on several Tbilisi television channels he said: "In the near future I will invite leaders of various political parties to the patriarchate in order to reduce the tension among them and permit the country to prepare for special presidential elections in peaceful circumstances."
Meanwhile, practically nothing is known about the fate of Eduard Shevardnadze up until now. Yesterday evening rumors appeared that the ex-president will go to Germany. Monday morning some news media even broadcast information that a plane with Shevardnadze on board landed at the airport of Baden-Baden in south Germany. However later the border service of Georgia declared that the plane of the Georgian ex-leader did not cross the state boundaries of Georgia. (tr. by PDS, posted 26 November 2003)
PATRIARCH'S INTENSE AUTUMN.
What remains to Patriarch Catholicos Ilia II after president who signed concordat with him has resigned?
Portal-credo.ru, 24 November 2003
Commentary:
An event of historic significance has occurred in Georgia: on 23 November at 8:45 p.m. Tbilisi time Eduard Shevardnadze told reporters that he has resigned the post of president of Georgia. Power has been transferred in the country. And it is quite clear that the refusal of Patriarch Catholicos of all-Georgia Ilia II to attend the opening of the first session of the new parliament had great effect upon this event. Without indicating why, he also did not send traditional greetings to the new parliament on the occasion of its election. Eduard Shevardnadze was able to spend only seven minutes at the podium before representatives of the opposition entered the hall. If Ilia II had been in the hall of parliament at this moment, they would not have been able to break up the session so easily. (tr. by PDS, posted 26 November 2003)
PATRIARCH OF GEORGIA ILIA II: USING CHURCH FOR POLITICAL ENDS IS IMPERMISSIBLE
Religiia i SMI, 24 November 2003
The patriarchate of Georgia declared that the use of the church for political purposes is impermissible. The declaration, distributed today by the Georgian patriarchate, notes that the patriarch catholicos of all-Georgia "has continually warned about the reality of bloodshed." "The events so far have developed in a manner that a tragedy has not occurred. We thank God for this," the declaration says.
The patriarchate notes that Patriarch Catholicos of all-Georgia Ilia II was not able to attend today's session of parliament, that was disrupted by the opposition, since at the time he was conducting the prayer service of Saint George in the Zion cathedral church. Thus, the statement notes, it is impossible to explain the patriarch's absence from the parliamentary session on political bases.
"Abkhazia-info" reports that the patriarchate has appealed to all citizens of Georgia to take account of the situation that has arisen in the country and treat the church with great caution and to refrain from using it for political purposes. The statement notes that the Georgian Orthodox church remains "the unifying force of the country." (tr. by PDS, posted 26 November 2003)
BLESSED ARE THE PEACEMAKERS
Religious leaders of Caucasus descend on Moscow
by Mikhail Posdniaev
Novye izvestiia, 26 November 2003
On Tuesday Alexis II received Patriarch of all-Georgia Ilia II in his Moscow residence on Chisty Lane. Their conversation preceded the quadrilateral meeting in which Catholicos of all-Armenians Garegin II and the spiritual leader of Muslims of Transcaucasia Sheikh-ul-Islam Allakhshukiur Pasha-zade will participate.
The historic meeting of the religious "big four" of CIS was planned long before the "velvet revolution" in Georgia. And it almost was scuttled. His Holiness Ilia II suddenly declared that the events in Tbilisi would prevent him from leaving his homeland. He made the statement at the very time the conversations of Shevardnadze with the leaders of the opposition were beginning under the mediation of the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The patriarch declared his neutrality in the political conflict without quite understanding when or how the affair would end. It ended in the evening of the same day, with a transfer of power.
A day later Ilia II returned to the original plan: to fly to Russia. Thank God he arrived. Without the participation of the patriarch of all-Georgia "the summit of the four" would have no meaning. Alexis II and Ilia II maintain very close contacts and their churches have a common history. But so far they have never held a dialogue together with "believers of a different faith."
Whatever their plans, each of the leaders in the Caucasus today has his own interests. Before 1917, as is known, Orthodox Georgians and Armenians, who are monophysites, and Muslims lived together peacefully, knowing that if there were any commotion the Russian "Little Father" tsar would clamp down without investigating who was right and who guilty. During the years of soviet rule in the Caucasus all believers also were hounded without investigation (although not as harshly as in Russia).
But at the end of the 1980s, with the reins of central authority somewhat relaxed, religious consciousness in the three republics began to impact decisively the national consciousness. Thus in the fires of the Karabakh conflict religious leaders were not able to come to an agreement and the mediating mission of the Moscow patriarchate even failed. Both sides, at best, viewed its emissaries with suspicion. In addition, ten years ago, when Alexis II and Ilia II sent to presidents Yeltsin and Shevardnadze appeals "to put an end to the decline of fraternal relations between our peoples and states," their words remained voices crying in the wilderness.
By virtue of what has been said, one should not expect miracles from the four religious leaders. In the first place they are not trying to restrain their own people and indulge other nations but to conclude an agreement about mutual nonaggression and a separate agreement. The quartet does not have the power to influence the presidents of the countries of the Caucasus region since each alone is a prophet in his own country. But even if they do not listen to the prophets, their message still deserves sympathy and respect. (tr. by PDS, posted 26 November 2003)
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