www.byzcath.org Forums News & Events Church News December 24 picket planned by Orthodox in front of the Catholic cathedral of Moscow

December 24 picket planned by ultra-Orthodox in front of the Catholic cathedral of Moscow
Moscow (AsiaNews) � Orthodox deacon Andrej Kuraev, a young well-known theologian, has invited the youth branch of an ultranationalist movement to organize, for December 24, a picket �in defence of Russian Christmas� outside the Catholic cathedral of the Mother of God.

The proposal was launched through the deacon�s web-site (www.kureav.ru/forum [kureav.ru]) and intends to be a �defence of Russian Christmas, in other words the traditions of celebrating Christ�s birth according to the old calendar.� The Catholic Church, with the Gregorian calendar reform, celebrates Christmas on December 25. The Russian Orthodox Church, which still follows the Julian calendar, celebrates Christmas on January 7.

The picket is planned for December 24, when Catholics will be celebrating Christmas Eve, and is to take place under the banners of �Russian Christmas January 7!�, �Stop putting down the Russian Orthodox Christmas!�, �The Orthodox Church is faithful, not backwards!�

The deacon is proposing that only young people take part in the picket, with �a kind expression on their face, not one that suggests irritation or protest.� But he also claims that �the Nasha (Our People) youth movement has given its juridical and organization support to the demonstration.�

This movement is considered to be among the most extremist and fundamentalist in Russia, so much so that is has been dubbed the �Putin-Jugend�, in a clear reference to Nazi youth.

Kureav invites supporters to show up at the Orthodox church on Krasnaja Presnja Street at 12 noon on December 24, to then proceed as a group to the Catholic cathedral on Malaja Gruzinskaja Street.

According to organizers� intentions, the picket is not to foresee political statements or comments, while plans are to �extend good-hearted and non-polemical holiday wishes to Catholic parishioners passing by.�

Deacon Andrei Kuraev is among the most influential theologians and publicists in the Russian Orthodox world. His web-site ranks first for site visits and reference. He is not an �official voice� of Moscow�s Patriarchate, but is known to launch initiatives only if he has the hierarchy�s tacit approval.

Asked to comment on the demonstration planned by the Orthodox, various Catholic figures opposed a courteous refusal. But people are fearing that this picket will be the start of a new campaign against the Catholic Church, accused of proselytism.

Various people on the pages of Kuraev�s web-site are proposing that the picket take place the night of December 24, �when Catholics begin their holiday functions� and the Church fills up with worshippers and visitors.

I don't get it...

Many of the Roman Catholics in Russia aren't ethnic Russians, but Poles, Germans, etc. Why should they have to celebrate according to the Julian calendar?

If the Roman Catholics would celebrate Christmas on January 7th, wouldn't they then be accused of proselytism?

These youth are going to protest in defence of "Russian Christmas" but at the same time be friendly and well-wish those who pass by? C'mon, now. "Stop celebrating your false Christmas... but have a nice holiday anyway!" :rolleyes:

I wonder what would happen if a bunch of Catholics protested in front of the St. Nicholas Cathedral in NYC on January 7th and told all the Russians to celebrate the Lord's Birth on the "American Date"?

Peace on earth, good will to men!

Dave

Come to think of it, if these Russian youths just stopped for a moment and consider that they already admit that the (Russian) Catholics are on the Gregorian calendar and, therefore, the latter have to celebrate Christmas on December 25th!

These Russian Orthodox youths are showing their [----] and religious intolerance!

Amado

That's the key sentence of this article. Nasha is Putin's response to the Ukranian "Parod" that was so influential in the last election.

[sorry about any misspellings]

I wish this weren't happening for the sake of kindness.

On the other hand isn't it interesting. I don't know of anything in Protestantism that can compare with the fascinating encounters we have in traditional Christianity.

I wish I could be there to see it.

Dan L

I'm protesting in front of my church that we have Nativity on the 25th and I have to pay full price for Christmas gifts.

Enough is enough!

Andrew

Because of humility, and out of sensitivity to, and in solidarity with the local Christian Church?

It is true, that in Athens, the Roman Catholics celebrate Pascha according to the Orthodox calendar. I think it is appropriate and suitable.

the unworthy,
Elias

Marc,

The Ukrainian group is known as 'Pora' and is fundamentaly involved with the restoration (or you may argue establishment) of civic society, with a heavy emphasis on electoral and governance integrity in Ukraine. They also promote an ethnic Ukrainian (Rusyn) ethos and a restoration of a native (non Muscovite / Moskal) patrimony.

At no time would the Ukrainian Youth group Pora protest the Latin rite Christmas celebrated on December 25, 2005 event though most of it's members follow the Julian calendar.

"Putin's response" to Pora's efforts to bring help democracy in Ukraine have in fact been the inverse. He has has restricted civil rights, the judiciary, and the electoral process. Pora promotes fair and transparent election, non-corrupt judiciary, etc....

The 'Nasha' youth group in Russia is chauvenistic and feels perfectly at home with former KGB senior agents Putin + Patriarch Alexi II. Please do not mix up the two.

Thanks,

I.F.

I can't help but think that Orthodox youth, or Catholic youth for that matter, can get more out of praying together in a place where there is agreement on what they believe.

Maybe they should go protest in front of some Finnish Orthodox Churches, too! :rolleyes:

Logos Teen

I.F.-

Thanks for the spelling correction.

I do not mean to say that they are the same when I say that they're "Putin's response" - far from it. What I mean is that they exist to mobilize Russian youth in his favor, and apparently work against any groups such as Pora which may emerge in Russia.

I have no disagreement with anything you said. If I were Ukranian, I would probably join Pora. If I were Russian I'd NEVER join Nasha.

This is the sort of thing that gives the rest of us Orthodox a bad name.Orthodox believers should be in their own church for the Saturday night Vigil or Vespers in preparation for Sunday.

The whole affair is reprehensible.

A whole bunch of someones have a screw loose.

+T+
Michael

Does no one remember the methods which were used in the United States to deprive the Greek-Catholics of the Julian Calendar?

Incognitus

Dear Incognitus,

I beleieve if I read right, Bishop Basil was the one that introduced the calendar change in order to appear less "Orthodox" and more "Catholic". Those were the days when it seemed like the right thing to do.

In IC XC,
Father Anthony+