According to a decision from the latest session of the Holy Synod of the Russian Orthodox Church, memorial services will be held annually for all Orthodox Christians who suffered at the hands of the godless Soviet authorities. The Synod met for two days on September 23-24 in Moscow under the chairmanship of His Holiness Patriarch Kirill. The hierarchs resolved to establish October 30 as a special day of commemoration for all those who were innocently killed or imprisoned in the persecutions of the 20th century, reports Patriarchia.ru.

It is noted that the Church remembers not only those who have been officially glorified as saints, but all the victims of Bolshevik repression, calling on all of society to preserve the memory of these tragic pages of history. Memorial services will be served in all dioceses, if possible, by the local hierarch at the very places where the victims suffered. The Divine Liturgy and a memorial service will be served at the church at the Butovo Firing Range, where thousands suffered and were martyred.

The Synod also proposes that the Synods of the Moscow Patriarchate’s autonomous Churches, exarchates, metropolitan districts, and dioceses outside Russia determine their own day for memorial commemorations based on local needs and conditions. On October 30, 2017, Pat. Kirill and President Putin opened in Moscow the Wall of Sorrow memorial to all victims of political repression. (Quelle: www.orthochristian.com, 30. September 2021)