Moscow Religious Exhibition Celebrates 10 Years of Freedom

Leaders and members of 11 religious faiths gathered in Moscow this week to celebrate one decade of free religious expression in Russia since the end of Soviet rule. To commemorate the milestone, officials of the All-Russian Exhibition Center are holding a first-time national exhibition highlighting the beliefs and activities of Russia’s major religions.

“This is the first time in 1,000 years of Christianity in Russia that we are all meeting under the same roof,” says Valery Ivanov, a Seventh-day Adventist Church leader who was involved in planning the event. “Now we are all free to come here and show what we believe.”

Organizers expect thousands to visit the exhibition, which runs until May 24. Displays include photos, videos, and liturgical artifacts representing Baptists, Lutherans, Seventh-day Adventists, Muslims, Jews, Buddhists, Russian native peoples, several branches of the Russian Orthodox Church, and other groups.

At an opening press conference last week, participants said they hoped the event would increase understanding among religious groups and give them a chance to discuss the past 10 years of church-state relations.

Many visitors at the opening ceremonies commented on the ironic site of the event. The All-Russian Exhibition Center consists of several dozen neo-classical pavilions that were built in the 1930s to showcase the highest Soviet achievements in technology, space, agriculture, and industry. The current exhibition of religions is housed in the main pavilion, which features a large domed roof reminiscent of Europe’s Christian cathedrals. An inscription encircling the ceiling speaks of the unending power of the Soviet Union. “This was a temple to atheism,” says Ivanov.

In the past decade, the center has become more of a temple to capitalism. Hundreds of kiosks both inside and outside the pavilions sell electronics, shoes, souvenirs, and french fries. The main pavilion has featured recent displays on art and education, but this week’s exhibition is the first to examine the religions of Russia.

“Before, we showed every Russian achievement at this center but never touched the subject of spirituality,” said Alla Oreshkina, a former official in Boris Yeltsin’s administration, who first suggested the idea of a religious exhibition. Now a part-time consultant to the exhibition center, Oreshkina worked with several government and public agencies and the leaders of Russia’s faith groups to plan an event that would include a wide selection of religions.

Most religious leaders praise the idea as a step in the right direction. “This exhibition emphasizes the things which were forbidden during Soviet times,” said Russian Orthodox Metropolitan Sergei Solnechnogorsky. “For the first time since Soviet times we can meet together and represent our work.”

Baptist representative Sergei Belov mentioned the lessons that could be learned from Russian history. “Now we see that if we lose faith we become cruel . . .” he said. “I hope this exhibition will help us understand each other.”

While all press conference participants expressed gratitude for being invited to the exhibition, several also voiced dismay when one speaker referred to proselytism as a sin. “When people may choose according to their own desire to join a church, that is a sign of a free society,” Ivanov said after the conference.

Adventist participation in the exhibition was coordinated by Lev Bondarchuk, a regional church leader in western Russia. In addition to providing information about church beliefs, the displays highlight Adventist health programs, education, radio and television stations, and publications.

Saturday, May 19, was designated Adventist Day at the exhibition and featured a seminary choir and a sample Adventist church service. Other programs during the exhibition are being presented by Orthodox, Muslim, Baptist, Lutheran, and Armenian Apostolic groups.

[Translation by Helen Timoshchenko; Lev Bondarchuk contributed to this report.]