The Primate of the Russian Orthodox Church noted that a visit to the Valaam Monastery is always a special event in his life. Special – because it reminds of another Valaam, which they tried to make a place of abomination and desolation. And this was done not by some robbers, but by the state, deliberately creating instead of holiness and spiritual exploits and, as if mocking these exploits, something absolutely opposite. But he, and many people, had complete confidence in the revival of Valaam, the Patriarch said.
“Our people wanted and believed that the time would come when the churches would be revived. They believed that in this place, desecrated, profaned, faith would be revived and divine services would be held again and those who, through monastic vows, dedicated their lives to it, would appear before God again,” the head of the Russian Orthodox Church said.
In fact, the monastery was reborn from the ashes. And everyone who comes here now and admires the present Valaam should not forget the past, he added.
