By Dmitry Steshin
[KP] In early summer, a group of judokas from Kyrgyzstan went to a boarding house on Lake Issyk-Kul for a two-week sports training camp. A 9-year-old Russian boy, Ivan, returned from the training camp bruised and told his parents that he was beaten by the crowd for many days because he was Russian and Orthodox. He was forced to read the Koran. Dozens of teenagers participated in the bullying with the full connivance of the coach.
They now want to make him the extreme in this story. This is more convenient for local authorities, because national-religious intolerance, as you know, is only in Russia, while other countries are fundamentally devoid of these vices.
But, the story got publicity in the blogs and Ivan's parents did not remain silent, but removed the beatings and achieved the initiation of the case. A family of compatriots was supported by the Russian Foreign Ministry, announcing in an official comment that "it is closely following this case." Then Rossotrudnichestvo joined in . And now, the Patriarch.
The Primate of the Russian Orthodox Church, addressing the boy, wrote:
"It was with great concern that I learned about what happened to you at the training camp. I would like to express my sincere sympathy to you. Having shown courage and courage, you were not afraid of daring ridicule and bullying from your peers and resolutely defended your faith, defended what is dear and valuable to you. Your deed, courage and firmness are worthy of all support.
Millions of your brothers and sisters in Christ in Russia and in other countries empathize with you at this difficult moment. None of those who learned about this situation remained indifferent. Christians at all times have been attacked, but we always remember the words of the Savior, said by Him in the Gospel: "Take courage: I have overcome the world" (John 16:33).
True fortitude lies in generosity and nobility, patience and willingness to forgive offenders. It is these qualities, together with unwavering faithfulness to Christ, that distinguish His true followers. Looking at you, I am glad that today such steadfast Orthodox Christians are growing and maturing.”.
Patriarch Kirill invited the boy Ivan to visit Moscow and make a pilgrimage to Orthodox shrines.
In a historical context, the letter is very significant. It will sound and it will be eheard. Let's hope that now millions of Russians, by the will of fate, abandoned on the edge of the Oycumen, perhaps for the first time, on this unpleasant and painful example, have realized that they are not alone. They have a big and strong Russia and they are remembered there, they have not forgotten or refuse
More background. Untranslated material:
Russia has shown its "soft power" for the first time
Dmitry Steshin is prior service Russian airborne, and a writer and photographer for Komsomol Pravda