Moscow
On
December 20th the cathedral church of the Evangelical Lutheran Church
in European Russia celebrated its 110th anniversary. To mark this
event there was an evening of spiritual reflection and music to which
were invited representatives of the city government, the Russian
Orthodox Church, the Roman Catholic Church and other Protestant
churches of Russia.
Archbishop
Dietrich Brauer greeted those present: "We are witnesses of a
wonderful time when God's grace and glory is raised in various
languages to all people, including through music. Today is really a
miracle. A miracle that the cathedral is restored, a miracle that it
is serving its purpose. Today we going to listen to the music of
Johann Sebastian Bach. And I hope that all of you will let into your
hearts that Word which has been placed in the music! The Word which
became flesh and dwelled among us. Let Jesus Christ shine in His
Glory above us with us and through us."
The
German Ambassador to Russia, Ruediger von Fritsch, and the
Moscow Patriarchate's Secretary of External Relations for
Inter-Christian Affairs, Stefan Igumnov, also spoke. The latter said:
"For us it is a great joy, a great honor and a significant event
to mark together with our brother Lutherans the 110th anniversary of
the dedication of this wonderful cathedral. From the moment of its
founding the congregation of the cathedral lived a full spiritual
life and was one of the great Christian congregations of Moscow. But
then for reasons unrelated to the believers themselves, life in the
church was interrupted for many years. And what a blessings that the
cathedral is experiencing rebirth! It has become a center of
spiritual life, like it was at the beginning. It is a center of
gravity for those Muscovites and guests of the capital that seek
culture, that seek to enjoy the treasurers of classical music."
The
evening continued with a performance of Bach's "Christmas
Oratorio" and readings from the Christmas stories in the
Gospels.
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