Appendix: A special issue dedicated to the 2000th anniversary of Christianity

        My cordial greetings to the readers of New East. I am happy to learn that on the eve of the 2000th anniversary of the coming of Our Lord Jesus Christ to the world, the magazine's pages will be devoted to a description of ancient Orthodox temples and monasteries in the north of Russia.
         About ten years ago we celebrated the 1000th anniversary of the Baptism of Russia and now we are approaching another great date. According to the Bible, "And when the sons of Israel celebrate their anniversary, their domain will grow" (36:4). We are witnessing the truth of these words. The places which have experienced the abomination of desolation in the near past are now seeing the return of the icon lamp, prayer, and church psalms.
         I suppose that now when the rhythm of life is so fast, the changes in the society and politics so dramatic, many people who will learn about the sacred places from your publication and perhaps even see them personally during a pilgrimage, will be able to draw edifying conclusions. Monasteries are quiet harbors, they are like beacons that send out light to all the people coming from afar and attracting them to their silence, so said Saint Joan of Zlatoust.
         I am familiar with the problems people ore facing in the Northwest of our country. Despite numerous hardships experienced by our compatriots in the Russian North,the will to learn and develop the spiritual traditions of the Russian North Thyvaide,thirst for the faith of our fathers has never diminished among these people and they have now been revived with new strength.
         I believe that our Motherland will have a glorious future and that the patient and dedicated labor of Russians, their unity and faith in moral values will yield worthy results for our Lord and for the country.
         My dear friends, I wish every one of you good health and spiritual joy. May our Lord give you success in all your good deeds.
        

ALEXY II

Patriarch of Moscow and Russia,
Co-chair of the Russian Organizing
Committee for the Preparation of
the Meeting of the Third Millennium
and Celebration of the 2000th Anniversary of Christianity