Around 40 volunteer militias are currently on duty in St Petersburg, and many more are active in Moscow and numerous other cities across Russia. Drawing on the experience of the Soviet-era squads tasked with crime control and the ‘strengthening of public morality’.
"Human happiness can be taken away by anything, even by a few difficulties." But Jesus wants to give us a joy that no one can take away: "It is lasting. Even in the darkest moments. "
Francis led a prayer vigil “to dry the tears” of all those in need of consolation. One of the witnesses who spoke was Qaiser Felix, a Pakistani journalist who works for AsiaNews. During his address, he said that he had to leave his country because he is Catholic and fundamentalist Muslims threatened his family.
Valery Gergiev and the Symphony Orchestra of St Petersburg's Mariinsky Theatre perform in the liberated city. A Putin supporter, conductor played in other warzones. Concert was broadcast in Russia. For analysists, Moscow wants to showcase its contribution to Syria’s renaissance.
God does not know culture of waste, for Jesus the Good Shepherd, "there is no such thing as sheep lost forever”, but only sheep that have yet to be found. "The only way to gather the flock together is to follow the path outlined by the mercy of the shepherd. While searching for the lost sheep, he calls on the ninety-nine to reunite the flock".
There are many "confused" Christians who do not follow the only "right path" that is Jesus. "How am I on this Christian journey? Standing still, on the wrong road, hanging around, only stopping for things that I like or following Jesus who said 'I am the way!'? Let us ask the Holy Spirit to teach us to walk the right path, forever! And when you get tired, take a little refreshment and carry on. Let us ask for this grace. "
"The Spirit gives witness to Jesus. And each time we feel something in our heart that brings us closer to Jesus, it is the Spirit who is at work". It 'good to ask "that worldliness, easy things, the things that come directly from the father of lies, the prince of this world, sin, do not turn away from witness".
The US secretary of state in Geneva to broker a fragile ceasefire in the northern capital. Scheduled to meet with the UN special envoy and the foreign ministers of Jordan and Saudi Arabia. The next round of Geneva talks set for 10 May.
After the Marian prayer of the Regina Caeli Francis appeals for peace in Syria: "There is a spiral of violence in the country that continues to aggravate the already desperate humanitarian situation of the country, particularly in the city of Aleppo, and claim innocent victims, even among children, the sick and those who with great sacrifice pledged to provide assistance to others ". Economic development "must take into account human dignity and fully respect labor laws". Pedophilia "is a tragedy. We must not tolerate it, the guilty must be severely punished."
At an extraordinary Jubilee audience, Francis returns to the theme of reconciliation, "God has never failed to offer his forgiveness to men: his mercy is felt from generation to generation." An appeal to confessors: "You are in the place of God the Father." A special Jubilee greeting for the police and the Armed Forces: "Faced with every day challenges, irradiate Christian hope, which is the certainty of the victory of love over hatred and peace over war."
During the Soviet period it was difficult, dangerous and exhausting to celebrate the Resurrection of Christ. Yet the churches were full and the faithful involved in the liturgy of the victory over death. Today, 25 years after the newfound freedom of worship, the patriarchal liturgy is broadcast on television and Moscow does all it can to appear to be an orthodox city. But it is not and it will not be until it understands the intimate connection of the Easter period with the personal faith experience.
"The lie we know where it comes from: in the Bible, Jesus calls the devil 'father of lies', the liar". "Sin is ugly! But if you have sinned, He is watching and waiting for you to forgive you! '. Always! Because He - God - is greater than our sins".
Sergei Chapnin, former editor of the Journal of the Moscow Patriarchate, holds this view. In a recent public statement, the bishop and rector of the Sretensky Theological Seminary said that most Orthodox do not view sympathetically dialogue with Catholics, and that most do not see "any real future in the idea of Church ecumenism."
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