Prayer on the 25th anniversary of the Chernobyl nuclear disaster

admin | 26 April 2011

On the day marking the 25th anniversary of the Chernobyl nuclear disaster Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia addressed the entire flock of the Russian Orthodox Church, asking all to remember the heroic feat of cleanup workers.

The memorial bell

“Man-made disasters, which have been assuming an increasingly menacing scope as civilization is developing, reflect what is happing inside the human soul. Without a profound spiritual analysis of the role Man plays in the Universe such disasters cannot be prevented,” he said.

The Patriarch noted with regret that many have failed to learn the lessons of the Chernobyl catastrophe and that Mankind has been treating the land, water and air, and the entire environment merely as a consumer.

“It is impossible and not worthwhile to try and stop the development of science and technology. But people will not be guaranteed against tragedies similar to the one that occurred 25 years ago if they do not learn to use natural resources and achievements of civilization wisely, with care for each other and everything God has created,” Patriarch Kirill said.

Scientific and technological development “cannot be non-ethical. It must be combined with devotion to the eternal moral standards and the ideals of mutual respect and love. This is the guarantee of a worthy future for our people and the world as a whole,” the Primate of Russian Church said.
Text: Interfax, photos – Julia Makoveitchuk – pravmir.com

Мемориальные таблички с именами ликвидаторов
Names of the liquidators

Перед панихидой

Протоиерей Всеволод Чаплин и протоиерей Николай БалашовПротоиерей Всеволод Чаплин и протоиерей Николай Балашов

Слева направо: заместитель председателя Отдела по делам милосердия Марина Васильева, Даниил Ильяшенко, Епископ Пантелеимон (Шатов), Владимир Легойда

Протодиакон Александр Агейкин, протоиерей Владимир Вигилянский

Прибыл Патриарх

Митрополит Владимир и Патриарх КириллМитрополит Владимир и Патриарх Кирилл

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