Vital Rymasheusky: Events at Stalin Line compromise the Russian Orthodox Church

In July there will be held a festival of an orthodox youth near Zaslaul.

Metropolitan Pavel gave his blessing to held celebrations in the territory of the Stalin Line.

Joseph Stalin's monument in the territory of the complex does not embarrass the orthodox priests, as well as the fact that these defences were constructed by Gulag prisoners, and after the war victims of Stalinism were shot in some abandoned permanent fire positions. Vital Rymasheuski, co-Chairman of the organizing committee on creation of the "Belarusian Christian Democracy" party, tells Radio Racyja how to treat the situation with the festival.

- I would like address all the people, who have noticed a beam in Orthodox Church’s eye, and say that there is a thing in Christianity: the sin within the church is not the one of Church. It is the sin against it. And the upcoming sacred procession to the Stalin Line is, first of all, a blow on the Orthodox Church itself. Although responsible people were mentioned by press.

- Could such action take place in the time of metropolitan Filaret?

- I guess it would be impossible, although the democratic society often gave the lie to him. However, I address all the people, who want to hear me - don't give up on the Orthodox Church. Certainly, it is awful! I'm speaking as a believer and please accept my apologies. But I emphasize that the sacred procession to the Stalin Line is the act against the Church.

- Why does Stalin, so to say, revive today? Both in Russia and Belarus...

- Stalin cult was built up not today. After the USSR collapse this movement was strong enough and survived. The mentality is that dictator cult, either Stalin or Putin, always finds its supporters... Neither our hearts nor thoughts have changed. If everyone analyzes his behavior, he will manage to find something slavish and totalitarian too. Believe me, often the same people who today oppose Aliaksandr Lukashenka, have hunger for the very same. For example, who will come and make everyone learn Belarusian language or face Europe, and they will follow him. It is our totalitarian way of thinking, a part of our mentality. We need to realize it and then mend. Stalin cult is based on the same principle.