On October 16, Metropolitan Kirill of Stavropol and Nevinnomyssk chaired the plenary session of the XIII Stavropol Forum of the World Russian People's Council "Protection of Traditional Values as a National Security Strategy." The forum brought together representatives of the Russian Orthodox Church, government authorities, the scientific community, traditional religions, the Cossacks and public organizations. Students participated in its work.
Opening the meeting, Metropolitan Kirill emphasized the importance of historical memory, spiritual and moral guidelines and the internal unity of society for the future of the country. The participants discussed family support, youth education, interethnic and interreligious harmony, as well as a person's personal responsibility for preserving the moral foundations of life.
Cooperation between Orthodox Christians and Muslims became one of the central topics. Mufti Muhammad-haji Rakhimov, Chairman of the Spiritual Board of Muslims of the Stavropol Territory, spoke about the long-term cooperation with the Stavropol Archdiocese and the joint support of military personnel. He noted the importance of maintaining mutual respect and fraternal relations in the daily life of society.
The chairman of the Patriarchal Commission on Family, Protection of Motherhood and Childhood, Priest Theodore Lukyanov, dedicated his speech to the family as a space where a person learns love, caring for others and respect for elders. The priest emphasized that it is in the family that the foundations of patriotism are laid.
The rector of the North Caucasus Federal University, Tatyana Shebzukhova, proposed creating an interregional network scientific and educational consortium "Traditional values are the basis of the unity and future of Russia" on the basis of the university. According to her plan, it should unite existing research centers and educational initiatives and become a platform for coordinating their work.
During the meeting, Mikhail Ivanov, Deputy head of the World Russian People's Council, presented Metropolitan Kirill with the First degree Cause of Faith Medal in recognition of his many years of service to the Church and the Fatherland.
The forum was organized by the World Russian People's Council, the Stavropol Metropolia, the North Caucasus Federal University and the History of the Fatherland Foundation with the support of the Government of the Stavropol Territory.
Photo: Stavropol Archdiocese.