Volgograd, Russia
On September 7th in the War Memorial Complex in the village of Rossoshki near Volgograd a truly historic event took place – a Peace Chapel was officially opened with the help of the Ministries of Foreign Affairs of Russia and Germany.
This chapel became the common symbol of two peoples of the horrible events which took place in the area of Stalingrad during the Second World War. The opening ceremony was attended by the German Ambassador Rüdiger von Fritsch, the director of the Russia Federation's Third European Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Sergei Nechaev, as well as representatives from veterans organizations and businessmen from Bavaria.
Representatives from the clergy of Volgograd and Germany took part in the blessing of the Peace Chapel – Metropolitan of Volgograd and Kamyshinsk Diocese of the Russian Orthodox Church, German, Orthodox Archpriest Oleg Kirichenko, the military general deacon Mattias Heimer, Roman Catholic Bishop Walter Mich, Military Bishop Rainer Brummer, Dean of the Lower-Volga Deanery of the Evangelical Lutheran Church Oleg Schtulberg and Pastor Conrad Weber from Dekendorf.
The well-known civil activist from the Bavarian city of Denkendorf, Christian Holtz, was the initiator of the building of the Peace Chapel. In his words the Peace Chapel is a symbol of reconciliation, friendship and peace, a symbol of remembrance of those who have fallen and of the ability to overcome tragedy. Rossoshki is not only the largest military cemetery in Europe it is also a symbol of the relationship between Russians and Germans.
The monument was designed by Professor Juergen von Royce from Germany; he also took part in the opening ceremony. The monument itself is made from natural stone with two crosses (Orthodox and Western) on two walls of granite on a pedestal.
The chapel is a monument that includes open space; this is a symbol of the tragic events, of the pain and suffering, that took place not only here, but in other parts of the world. The two crosses which stand together speak to us about the Christian faith which unites the two peoples. And it was no accident that the symbol of the cross was chosen – it is a harsh symbol of suffering which reminds mankind not only of the suffering we undergo, but also the suffering we cause.
The architectural design leads one's eyes not to the crosses so much as through them in order to see the space on the other side. This is a symbol of the way people should not get caught in the past but to think about the future and care for the future.
Based on the article by Tatyana Schulеberg
On September 7th in the War Memorial Complex in the village of Rossoshki near Volgograd a truly historic event took place – a Peace Chapel was officially opened with the help of the Ministries of Foreign Affairs of Russia and Germany. This chapel became the common symbol of two peoples of the horrible events which took place in the area of Stalingrad during the Second World War. The opening ceremony was attended by the German Ambassador Rüdiger von Fritsch, the director of the Russia Federation's Third European Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Sergei Nechaev, as well as representatives from veterans organizations and businessmen from Bavaria.
Representatives from the clergy of Volgograd and Germany took part in the blessing of the Peace Chapel – Metropolitan of Volgograd and Kamyshinsk Diocese of the Russian Orthodox Church, German, Orthodox Archpriest Oleg Kirichenko, the military general deacon Mattias Heimer, Roman Catholic Bishop Walter Mich, Military Bishop Rainer Brummer, Dean of the Lower-Volga Deanery of the Evangelical Lutheran Church Oleg Schtulberg and Pastor Conrad Weber from Dekendorf. The well-known civil activist from the Bavarian city of Denkendorf, Christian Holtz, was the initiator of the building of the Peace Chapel. In his words the Peace Chapel is a symbol of reconciliation, friendship and peace, a symbol of remembrance of those who have fallen and of the ability to overcome tragedy. Rossoshki is not only the largest military cemetery in Europe it is also a symbol of the relationship between Russians and Germans.
The monument was designed by Professor Juergen von Royce from Germany; he also took part in the opening ceremony. The monument itself is made from natural stone with two crosses (Orthodox and Western) on two walls of granite on a pedestal.
The chapel is a monument that includes open space; this is a symbol of the tragic events, of the pain and suffering, that took place not only here, but in other parts of the world. The two crosses which stand together speak to us about the Christian faith which unites the two peoples. And it was no accident that the symbol of the cross was chosen – it is a harsh symbol of suffering which reminds mankind not only of the suffering we undergo, but also the suffering we cause.
The architectural design leads one's eyes not to the crosses so much as through them in order to see the space on the other side. This is a symbol of the way people should not get caught in the past but to think about the future and care for the future.
Based on the article by Tatyana Schulеberg
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