On Saturday of Holy Week, April 26, 2025, at the compound of the Russian Ecclesiastical Mission in Jerusalem in honor of the Righteous Tabitha in Jaffa, the international patriotic and environmental action "Garden of Remembrance" was held.
Russians Russian Spiritual Mission, the Embassy of the Russian Federation in the State of Israel and the Russian House in Israel are the organizers of the event.
Archimandrite Vassian (Zmeev), head of the Russian Orthodox Church, Archpriest Nikolai Zhdanov, sacristan of the Russian Orthodox Church in Jaffa, A.D. Viktorov, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Russian Federation to the State of Israel, D.A. Magad, Director of the Russian House in Israel, I.V. Levin, Chairman of the Coordinating Council of Organizations of Russian-speaking Compatriots in Israel, and representatives of the Israeli Union of veterans of the Second World War, students of the school at the Russian Embassy in Israel, Russian diplomats and journalists.
On this day, six olive trees were planted in the "Garden of Memory" on the territory of the farmstead, according to the RDM website.
Addressing the audience, Archimandrite Vassian (Zmeev) stressed that holding the "Garden of Remembrance" action on Easter days is very symbolic: "On Easter days, the Church celebrates the victory of life over death, good over evil, love over hate, light over darkness. The resurrection of Christ is a true victory, because the risen Christ, the Son of God, is Truth, Life, and Love (John 14:6, 1 John 4:16), which means truth, goodness, and love are always stronger and always victorious. Planting new trees here in the Garden of Memory is a reminder to future generations that war is a terrible tragedy. In the name of victory over the forces of evil, over Nazism, many, many human sacrifices were made — this should not be forgotten. You and I must use all our spiritual strength and all our faith to ensure that such a tragedy never happens again."
In his welcoming speech, A.D. Viktorov recalled that the Memorial Garden campaign has been held in Israel for the third time. This year it is dedicated to the 80th anniversary of the Great Victory. The Ambassador also noted that the purpose of the campaign is to recall the dramatic pages of history and pass on the "living memory" of the events of the Great Patriotic War of 1941-1945 to future generations.