Patriarch Kirill On Protests: 'We must live together, wearing the armor of God's truth'

Patriarch Kirill prays for social peace, "Let the Lord enlighten those who have different views, particularly on political issues in the country and on the recent elections, and help us to start a real civil dialogue so as not to destroy the life of the nation."

P>MOSCOW, Russia (AsiaNews) - It has been almost three weeks since the explosion of anti-government demonstrations in Russia and the reaction of the Patriarch of Moscow, Kirill has been as long in coming.

"Let the Lord enlighten those who have different views, particularly on political issues in the country and on the recent elections, and help us to start a real civil dialogue so as not to destroy the life of the nation", advocated the leader of Russian Orthodox Church at the end of the liturgy celebrated Dec. 18 at the Cathedral of the Epiphany in Noginsk, in the Moscow region.

According to the Patriarch, "the authorities should give more credit to the people and contribute to this dialogue and communication, overcoming doubts and disagreements in a way that neither human temptations, or mistakes, or misunderstandings on the work done for the welfare of the country can divide society. "

"We have no right to divide - he added - the bloodshed of the twentieth century does not allow it. We must live together, wearing the armor of God's truth, as St. Paul teaches us. "

Since December 5, in the aftermath of the Russian legislative which was won amid allegations of fraud and irregularities by the ruling party called "United Russia", a part of civil society has taken to the streets on a regular basis calling for the annulment of the vote and respect for their constitutional rights .

This demand is being made by members of the Russian middle class, youth, intellectuals, professionals and former politicians who are organizing themselves and spreading information -  primarily on the web.

The protest movement organized on December 10 was the biggest protest of the last 15 years in the country in Moscow (50 thousand people). The demonstrators are preparing to return to the streets in two days, on Christmas Eve (in the Western Church calendar).

Along with the Kremlin, the Russian Orthodox Church emphasizes the need to preserve social peace and avoid revolutions on the model of Arab Spring which seem unlikely, however, in Russia.

Archpriest Vsevolod Chaplin, head of Department for relations between the Church and society at the Patriarchate of Moscow, haa already spoken out on the subject. He declared, "the most important thing now is to maintain civil peace and not allow another 1905, 1917, 1991, 1993." He was referring to the dates of the major revolutions and the social unrest in Russia of the last century.

However, at the same time, the Orthodox Church turns to those in power - asking them to heed the demands of the people. For now, both Prime Minister Vladimir Putin and outgoing President Dmitry Medvedev have dismissed all claims of the protesters. They are trying to downplay the importance of protests. They also responded strongly to international criticism on suspicion of fraud in the elections.

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In an attempt to stem the unrest also in view of the presidential election of March, there have been only faint promises of reforms of the political system in which people now have little faith.