Preparations for Reformation’s 505th anniversary launched in Russia

Preparations for Reformation's 505th anniversary launched in Russia

In Russia, Protestant Churches have launched preparations for Reformation’s 505th anniversary and 20 years of their Board

Task Force on the preparation of these anniversary events has started its activity, informs All-Union Community of Evangelical Christians (AUCEC), which welcomed the meeting held both personally and virtually on February 10, 2022.

Preparations for Reformation's 505th anniversary launched in Russia
In Russia, preparations for Reformation’s 505th anniversary and the 20th anniversary of the Protestant Board (ACHPCR) launched. The head of ACHPCR Expert Council for the Development of the KSPCR, General Secretary of AUCEC Dmitry Lavrov (right) and senior pastor of “Good News” Moscow church Pavel (Paul) Renner (left), as well as participants online (on the screen). Photo by Institute of Religion and Policy (IRP)

20th anniversary of the work of the Advisory Council of the Heads of Protestant Churches of Russia (ACHPCR). For 20 years, a lot of work has been done for the interaction with Russian Government bodies, for the interfaith dialogue and cooperation on various issues. There are a number of complex issues on which work is underway.

And the second memorable date is the 505th anniversary of Luther’s Reformation. By the way, Luther translated the Gospel into German 500 years ago, and the Word of God became available for reading to Germans, AUCEC notes.

According to Dmitry Lavrov, head of ACHPCR Expert Council for the Development, Russian Protestants have made a great contribution to the development of public life and social service over the past decades, cef reports. Many churches help people suffering from alcohol and drug addiction.

“It seems to us that this participation of Russian Protestants has not been properly appreciated, and our task is to emphasize this significant contribution,” Dmitry Lavrov says.

Another important contribution of Protestant Churches concerns the harmonization of interfaith relations.

The organizers intend to hold a number of events in 2022 that will emphasize the importance of Protestants in Russia, introduce the broad masses to the values inherent in evangelical believers.

Head of the Task Force within the Expert Council on the preparation of events for the 20th anniversary of the ACHPCR and the 505th anniversary of the Reformation Pavel Renner:

“We are already starting preparations for the 505th anniversary of the Reformation, which will take place in October. We see around us every day the fruits of the Reformation, including translations of the Bible into various languages. The fruits of the Reformation affect our faith and our practical life. Therefore, of course, we should think about what the Reformation is, and how we should move forward further, into the heritage that was once handed down to us”.

Anton Ignatenko, President of the Institute of Religion and Policy, took part in the discussion at the invitation of the head of ACHPCR Expert Council for the Development, General Secretary of AUCEC Dmitry Lavrov. He called for the unity of Christians based on traditional values, the whole Russian society, peacemaking and humanity.

Preparations for Reformation's 505th anniversary launched in Russia
President of the Institute of Religion and Policy Anton Ignatenko at the Task Force for the 505th anniversary of the Reformation and the 20th anniversary of the ACHPCR Protestant Board. Credits: “Spectrum” Information Bureau

President of the Institute of Religion and Policy Anton Ignatenko:

“In fact, there are quite a lot of Protestant believers in Russia who live, work, create, communicate with each other based on Christian moral values which are shared by the entire Russian society. This is very gratifying, and I am sure that such activities, such work should be supported.”

Video by “Spectrum” Information Bureau:

 

See also:

Church speaker offers Faith to be listed in Russian ‘traditional values’

ROC Foreign Secretary warns Russia against war with Ukraine

 

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