Unity of valiance and faith

19.12.2007 // Minatom.ru

Monument to Creators of the Nuclear Shield of Russia has been unveiled at Holy Trinity-St. Sergius Laura

Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia Aleksiy II consecrated the monument and the foundation stone of the future Cathedral of St. Nicholas. The ceremony was attended by the head of the 12th Chief Department of the Ministry of Defense, General Vladimir Verkhovtsev, the head of the 12th Central Research Institute of the Ministry of Defense, Admiral Sergey Pertsev, the chairman of the board of the St. Nicholas Benevolent Foundation Andrey Bykov, clergymen, local officials, officers and veterans.

“It is a symbolic monument. Historically, our nuclear industry and religion have always been good neighbors and partners: our nuclear shield was forged in Sarov — the very place where Sefaphim of Sarov founded his monastery; one of the centers of nuclear research, the 12th Central Research Institute of the Defense Ministry, is situated near Sergiev Posad and Holy Trinity-St.Sergius Laura and protects the latter,” Verkhovtsev said. “Today, we are reviving the unity of military valiance and religious faith and are restoring our Orthodox traditions. The 12th Chief Department of the Defense Ministry and Rosatom are protected by St. Seraphim of Sarov.” 

The monument pictures Nicholas of Mozhaysk (St. Nicholas) with a sword in one hand and a cathedral in the other – a symbol of unity of religious faith and military valiance. The monument has been built with the support of St. Nicholas Benevolent Foundation and the governor of Moscow region. The choice of St. Nicholas was not a coincidence: he is regarded as the protector of cities and fortresses. There is an old legend saying that St. Nicholas helped the residents of Mozhaysk to protect their city from Mongols in XIV: the people implored St. Nicholas to come and help them and the latter appeared in the sky with a sword in one hand and Mozhaysk or cathedral in the other. The enemy was scared and fled away.

After consecrating the foundations of the cathedral and the monument, Aleksiy II said: “We must remember all people who forged the nuclear shield of Russia and who helped humanity to prevent World War III and to avoid nuclear disaster. In the past the army and the church were artificially separated, today, their cooperation and mutual support are being revived. More and more people are beginning to realize that we must not only develop our economy, arms and technologies but also revive our spiritual values.”

Pertsev assured His Holiness that his Institute will continue protecting Holy Trinity-St. Sergius Laura.