Patriarch Kirill Expresses Condolences Over Terrorist Attack in Dagestan

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His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia expressed his condolences regarding the terrorist acts in Derbent and Makhachkala, which resulted in the deaths and injuries of law enforcement officers and civilians. In Derbent, terrorists brutally killed Father Nikolai Kotelnikov, a cleric of the Makhachkala Diocese.

Patriarch Kirill sent letters to the head of the republic, Sergey Melikov, and Archbishop Varlaam of Makhachkala and Grozny.

"We see that the enemy does not cease its attempts to destroy interreligious peace and harmony within our society, deliberately targeting sacred objects for believers in its attacks. Its undeniable goal is to ignite the flames of enmity, sowing seeds of hatred and mutual estrangement. It is no coincidence that this brazen crime was committed on one of the most significant holidays for Orthodox believers, the Feast of the Holy Trinity, which clearly reveals the diabolical nature of the terrorists' intentions," wrote Patriarch Kirill in his letter to the head of Dagestan.

The Primate of the Russian Church expressed hope that law enforcement and special agencies would be able to solve this crime and bring the perpetrators to justice. According to the Patriarch, it is essential to do everything possible to prevent any attempts at radicalizing religious life and to curb all manifestations of extremism and interethnic hostility.

In his letter to Archbishop Varlaam, Patriarch Kirill noted that the attackers intentionally struck on the day of the Orthodox Feast of Trinity to "sow seeds of hatred and discord" among people of different nationalities, cultures, and religions.

"My heart suffers with you and your flock. I deeply mourn the death of Father Nikolai Kotelnikov, a cleric of the Makhachkala Diocese, who perished in a barbaric terrorist attack, sacrificing his life for the name of Christ," wrote Patriarch Kirill.

 


Photo: patriarchia.ru

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