Kizlyar, Dagestan (or Daghestan: an autonomous republic in SW Russia, on western shore of the Caspian Sea), October 3, 2015
On October 2, 2015, in the town of Kizlyar of the Dagestan Republic, Bishop Varlaam of Makhachkala and Grozny headed the procession of the Cross from the St. Nicholas Church to the St. George’s Cathedral; it was timed to coincide with the 1000th anniversary of repose of Holy Prince Vladimir, Equal-to-the-Apostles, and the 280th anniversary of the city’s foundation, reports the Makhachkala Diocese’s official website.
Deputy head of the administration of the government of the Republic of Dagestan Alexei Gasanov, head of the city of Kizlyar Alexander Shuvalov, first deputy chairman of the Council for Freedom of Worship and Interaction with Religious Organizations in Dagestan Kharbil Kharbilov, chief expert of the Council for Freedom of Worship and Interaction with Religious Organizations Oxana Galiyeva, local Cossacks headed by Ataman (Cossack leader) Valentin Ivanov, director of the Kizlyar cognac factory Evgeny Druzhinin, representatives of public organizations, workers’ associations, clergy and laity from Kizlyar, the Chechen and Ingush Republics took part in the solemn procession.
The cross procession with the venerated icons of the Holy Prince Vladimir of Kiev, the Mother of God “Inexhaustible Cup”, and Greatmartyr George the Victory-Bearer (painted on Holy Mount Athos) with a portion of his holy relics gathered around one thousand Orthodox believers who walked about three kilometers (c. 1.86 miles) altogether.
Bishop Varlaam performed a supplicatory prayer service to the Mother of God on the site of the first town’s church in honor of Her Kazan icon, which had been situated on the territory of the Kizlyar fortress.
The next stop of the cross procession was at the scene of the terrorist act of 2010. There the archpastor served a Litia for repose of the victims.
Near the St. George’s Cathedral a prayer service was celebrated before the venerated icons and prayers were offered up to the holy men of God – Grant Prince Vladimir and Greatmartyr George.
After the service Bishop Varlaam delivered a greeting speech to those gathered at the event. The archpastor greeted everybody on the town’s jubilee and thanked head of the town of Kizlyar A. Shuvalov for the organization of the cross procession and securing safety of the participants.
“Today this festive procession demonstrates that now peace reigns in Dagestan and in the whole of the Caucasus. We can hold services, processions of the cross – and our brothers, Muslims, are near us and they ensure our safety,” noted the ruling bishop in his speech.
“The state of Russia cannot exist without the faith and the Church. The Lord sent wise Church and state leaders to Russia, thus protecting our great state with its spiritual and moral values, customs and traditions. We should appreciate, love and understand each other because every individual is a temple of God. We are strong when we are together, as we share common values,” the hierarch stressed.
Then Alexander Shuvalov addressed the gathered people: “Today a truly great event has taken place in our land – a procession of the cross among whose participants were not only Orthodox Christians from Kizlyar, but also the faithful from neighboring republics. We are particularly glad that this wonderful event has been organized right before the celebration of the town’s 280th anniversary. Orthodoxy has always existed in Kizlyar, which is famous for its traditions and history, and Orthodoxy will continue to live on here. And today’s procession is the best confirmation of this. The cross procession once again demonstrates the unity of the peoples living in our town,” the head of Kizlyar said.
Bishop Varlaam anointed all the cross procession members with the blessed oil, after which the faithful venerated the shrines and received icons as presents.
On the same evening, a Vigil service was celebrated in all the town churches.
