An Agreement Between the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia and the Moscow Patriarchate on the Joint Construction in Beslan of a Monastery and Rehabilitation Center is Signed

On March 10, 2005, at the Patriarchal Residence on Chisty pereulok, an agreement was signed between the Stavropol and Vladikavkaz Diocese of the Russian Orthodox Church of the Moscow Patriarchate and the Diocese of Berlin and Germany of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia on the joint construction of Epiphany Convent in Beslan (Northern Ossetia/Alania). A therapeutic and trauma center will be built at the convent as well.

In the presence of His Holiness Patriarch Alexy II of Moscow and All Russia, this agreement was signed by His Grace Bishop Feofan of Stavropol and Vladikavkaz and His Eminence Archbishop Mark of Berlin and Germany. Also participating in the event were Chairman for the Chancellery of the Moscow Patriarchate, Metropolitan Kliment of Kaluga and Borovsk; Secretary of the Department of External Church Affairs, Protopriest Nikolai Balashov; and clergymen of the German Diocese of the Russian Church Abroad, Protopriest Nikolai Artemoff and Deacon Andrei Sikoev.

Upon signing the documents, His Grace Bishop Feofan thankfully noted that the Diocese of Berlin and Germany of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia did not hesitate to respond to the tragedy in Beslan. "Even before the hostage crisis in Northern Ossetia was resolved in such a dramatic fashion, the parishes of the Church Abroad began to collect funds to help the people of Beslan, and medications were sent to Ossetia. The tragedy left terrible scars: the pain mothers whose children died endure continues unabated, many of those who survived are in need of further treatment. We decided to build a children's rehabilitation center, and work has already begun. The premises of Epiphany Convent have been renovated, where a medical clinic will be established, and we are collecting funds for construction.

The hospital will be the first rehabilitation center in Northern Ossetia specializing in treating those who suffered from the Beslan tragedy.

Today we ask the blessing of the President of the Russian Orthodox Church for this God-pleasing effort."

His Eminence Archbishop Mark of Berlin, in turn, stressed: "The manifestation of this project bears witness to our common desire to bring the light of Orthodoxy to the people. I think that this is a significant step in our rapprochement to the glory of God, for the good of the Church."

In his address before the signing ceremony, His Holiness Patriarch Alexy II of Moscow and All Russia noted that this evil terrorist act, committed in the Beslan school on the first day of the school year, resounded painfully in the hearts not only of those living in Beslan and Russia, but also in the hearts of those who lived far outside the borders of the country. The President of the Russian Orthodox Church expressed gratitude to Vladyka Mark that he and the diocese he heads, during the very first days of the tragedy responded not only in word but in deed to the sorrow of the people of Northern Ossetia.

"The Orthodox Christians of Western Europe to this day continue to help the residents of Northern Ossetia; in part, a decision was made on the participation of the Diocese of Berlin and Germany of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia in the construction of a rehabilitation center, where those who suffered from this terrorist act can be helped overcome the psychosomatic effects of the trauma they endured.

"I wish once more to thank the clergymen and laity of the Church Abroad for earnestly responding, with all their hearts, to the tragic events in Beslan" said His Holiness Patriarch Alexy.

"It must be noted that this is the second joint action by the Moscow Patriarchate and the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia. Over the course of seven months, the holy relics of Martyrs Grand Duchess Elizaveta Feodorovna and Nun Varvara were in our country, visiting over 60 diocese and over 140 cities. In many cities, a smaller reliquary was taken even to the remotest churches, far from their cathedral cities. For all the Orthodox Christians in our Fatherland, the travels of these relics proved to be of moral and spiritual support," noted the Head of the Russian Orthodox Church.

Now the Stavropol Diocese of the Moscow Patriarchate is working with the Diocese of Germany and Berlin of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia in helping the people of Beslan who suffered from the inhuman terrorist act, who are burdened with their memories of the tragic days of September 2004.

"I express heartfelt thanks to Vladyka Mark for his participation in the transporting to the Fatherland of the holy relics of SS Elizaveta and Varvara and in the construction project of the rehabilitation center in Beslan," said His Holiness Patriarch Alexy in conclusion.

Communications Department of the DECA/MP

The Synod of Bishops asks those interested in helping the people of Beslan to send donations to:

"The Synod of Bishops/Beslan Fund"
75 East 93rd Street
New York, NY 10128