MOSCOW, Russia, June 6, 2006 — An exhibition held in the State Duma (federal parliament) in Moscow brought the Bible into the very heart of political life for the first time in the modern history of the Russian Federation. For three days, politicians were able to view ancient and rare manuscripts and modern Bible editions and to learn how the country's history and culture have been moulded by the Bible.
Opening on May 17, The Bible in Russia was staged to mark several significant dates in the history of the Bible in Russia: the 950th anniversary of Ostromirov's Gospel, the oldest preserved manuscript in Russian, the 130th anniversary of the Synodal Bible, the first translation of the Bible into Russian, and the 50th anniversary of the first mass edition of the Bible in Russian, produced by the Russian Orthodox Church after the Communist revolution. It was jointly organised by the Bible Society in Russia, the Russian Orthodox Church Publishing Council and the Patriarchal Synodal Bible Commission. Representatives of these organisations attended the opening ceremony alongside Russian Orthodox archbishops and archpriests, Roman Catholic clergy, leaders of the main Protestant Unions, one of the leaders of the Jewish Communities in Russia, members of the State Duma, Army generals and prominent scholars.
Archbishop Savva read aloud an address by Patriarch Alexii II, head of the Russian Orthodox Church, to the Members of Parliament and guests at the exhibition. In his address, the Patriarch paid tribute to the Bible Society's contribution to promoting the Bible in Russia.
"The Bible has become popular and available to all readers in Russia only in recent years. This is thanks to the work of the Russian Orthodox Church Publishing Council and the Bible Society in Russia."
Boris Gryzlov, Chairman of the State Duma, also expressed his appreciation to the Bible Society and emphasised the importance of the Bible in strengthening society. His address was read by the First Vice-Chairperson of the State Duma, Lyubov Sliska.
"The pre-condition for prosperity in Russia," said Mr. Gryzlov, "is the affirmation of moral values and a genuine respect for the cultural and spiritual heritage of this nation. We all know that these things have a solid biblical foundation. The history of Russia and our national culture have their roots in the Bible, and our educational traditions also have close ties with the Bible. I express my sincere appreciation to the Russian Orthodox Church Publishing Council and the Bible Society in Russia for their contribution to making the Bible available to millions of Russians."
The Bible Society sold Bibles and Bible-based materials worth about $1,100 Cdn. from its stand at the exhibition. It also distributed more than 500 brochures about the history of the Synodal Bible to members and staff of the State Duma, proof of the genuine interest in the Bible among politicians.
The exhibition will now tour Russia.
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