State Flag of the Russian Federation and Flag of His Holiness Patriarch Kirill Raised at Main MThA Building
On the evening of June 10, professors, students, and staff of the Moscow Theological Academy gathered in front of the main academic building to witness and participate in a historic event.
A solemn ceremony was held to raise the State Flag of the Russian Federation and the flag of His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Rus’ on the main building of the Academy.
Before the ceremony, the academic clergy conducted a moleben (prayer service) to the Lord. Following the service, the Rector of the Moscow Theological Academy and Abbot of the Holy Trinity-St. Sergius Lavra, Bishop Kirill of Sergiev Posad and Dmitrov, addressed the gathering with an archpastoral word:
"Dear fathers, brothers, and sisters, on this day, with the blessing of His Holiness Patriarch Kirill and in accordance with a decree from the President of the Russian Federation, the banner of the Russian Federation and the Patriarchal banner are being raised on the main academic building of our Academy. Undoubtedly, these banners will serve as a daily reminder that we are a full-fledged part of the Russian Orthodox Church and a full-fledged part of our Fatherland, our homeland — Russia.
Since the time of perestroika, people have looked in every direction, and at times, everyone strove to hang up any flags but their own national one. Now is a time when our Fatherland is gathering its strength, and according to the presidential decree, not only state but also private higher educational institutions must have the flag of the Russian Federation on or near their buildings. For us, this is, of course, quite harmonious, because we know that the holy fathers, including St. John of Kronstadt and St. Philaret, Metropolitan of Moscow, taught: 'To be found worthy of being citizens of the Heavenly Fatherland, one must first become a good citizen of the earthly Fatherland'.
Unfortunately, there are now people who, while enjoying all the benefits of our homeland, are ready to turn away from it and at times even betray it. We, as church people, as clergymen, and as those who are just preparing to become clergymen, must, of course, show loyalty to our Fatherland and to our neighbors. In this lies a deep understanding and fulfillment of the commandment to honor one's father and mother.
As we look upon the banner of the Russian Federation, we should remember our ancestors who for centuries gathered our Fatherland and preserved our culture and our faith. One Russian émigré, being far from his homeland, recalled the words of his parents who, as they looked upon the banner of the Fatherland, taught him: 'Remember, the white color is our snow; the blue is our rivers; and the red is the Russian blood that our ancestors shed to preserve our Fatherland and our faith'.
The flags flying high, both the state and the church one, should inspire us and help us not to forget who we are and to what we are called by God. While it might be possible to show some weakness while you are studying, once you enter your pastoral ministry, you cannot be negligent for a single moment. You must already feel the measure of responsibility that will rest upon your shoulders, hearts, and souls.
'O Lord, grant that indeed, looking upon these banners, we may grow into those whom You have called us to become in our lives'."
During the raising of the State Flag of the Russian Federation, the combined choir of the Moscow Theological Academy and the Holy Trinity-St. Sergius Lavra, directed by Hieromonk Nestor (Volkov), performed the State Anthem of the Russian Federation.
The raising of the flag of His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Rus’ was accompanied by the choir singing "Many Years" in the arrangement by Archimandrite Matthew (Mormyl).
The ceremony concluded with the performance of the stichera to the Russian saints, "Zemle Russkaya," written by St. Athanasius (Sakharov), Bishop of Kovrov.
MThA Press Office