DOCSLIB.ORG

The Ukrainian Weekly 2001, No.43

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
The Ukrainian Weekly 2001, No.43 www.ukrweekly.com INSIDE:• Students compete in indoor soccer tournament — page 8. • Ukrainian activist named to Order of Canada — page 10. • Survey: Top 100 Ukrainian heroes/heroines — page 12. Published by the Ukrainian National Association Inc., a fraternal non-profit association Vol. LXIX HE No.KRAINIAN 43 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, OCTOBER 28, 2001 EEKLY$1/$2 in Ukraine Kyiv acknowledges responsibility for jet’s downing, AnthraxT scaresU hit Ukraine W by Roman Woronowycz assistant director of UkrPost, Ukraine’s Kyiv Press Bureau postal service, during a press conference Kuchma accepts defense minister’s resignation on October 24. KYIV – A series of anthrax scares, Mr. Moroz underscored that sending by Roman Woronowycz including 38 separate incidents of letters illegal or dangerous substances or simply Kyiv Press Bureau containing powder-like substances sent using the postal service to scare people through the Ukrainian postal system, KYIV – President Leonid Kuchma are criminal offenses punishable by jail went on national television on October have caused apprehension and a height- terms. ened state of security within the country. 24 to officially acknowledge Ukraine’s He noted that the 38 pieces of corre- full responsibility for the unintended Thus far, the bacterial spores that spread spondence have come from 16 various the deadly disease have not been found in destruction of a Russian commercial air- post office zones, including four from liner by an errant missile on October 4 the country. Kyiv and eight from abroad. The first of the alerts – which to some and to announce that he had accepted the The first three letters that underwent resignation of the country’s top military extent are the result of extreme caution scrutiny, came from the United States, on the part of law enforcement officials official. explained Mr. Moroz. After initial test- “I want to again express my deep in Ukraine – occurred on October 16 ing, officials determined that the when a worker at a construction site near sympathies to the governments of Israel envelopes merely contained coffee and the Russian Federation for their citi- the village of Osokorky, located just out- grounds. More extensive testing is being zens who died as a result of this catastro- side of Kyiv, discovered 40 glass AP/Viktor Pobedinsky done on those, as well as the other 35 let- phe,” said Mr. Kuchma. ampules containing a white powdery sub- ters, to exclude any bacteriological con- In a five-minute address, the president Defense Minister Oleksander Kuzmuk stance. That was followed a day later by tamination other than anthrax. thanked the two countries “as well as the appearance of a letter containing a indications pointed to Ukrainian respon- Although postal workers found mari- other countries’ for their help and their white powder at the customs post in the sibility for the S-200 missile, he juana in one correspondence, for the understanding “in these very complicat- city of Hlukhiv, located near the Russian believed that conclusions that could most the letters that have undergone test- ed circumstances.” border in the Sumy Oblast. As a result, well be premature must be withheld ing have been found to contain innocu- Mr. Kuchma then announced that he three customs officials of the post who until experts authoritatively determined ous powders, either flours, laundry deter- had accepted the resignation of had come in contact with the letter were what actually happened. He had gents or salt. Mr. Moroz called them Minister of Defense Oleksander demanded that investigators travel to quarantined for a week. hoaxes and scare tactics being employed Kuzmuk and several other ranking mili- State Customs Service Director Yurii the Crimean training site before draw- by deranged elements for their own tary officials, and said that he would ing final conclusions. Solovkov said his agency has now imple- amusement. now move to introduce civilian control The national security chief’s com- mented procedures in which all packages As an example he cited one envelope over the military. ments came in response to a statement by and letters entering Ukraine go through a containing a white substance that was “The task is to ensure qualitative Vladimir Rushailo, chairman of the screening process, including X-raying. addressed to: “Osama Bin Laden, Cave changes in military reforms and intro- Russian investigation commission who The biggest problems for Ukrainian No. 5, Mount Hoverlia, Lviv Oblast. The duce civilian control over the armed officials, however, involve letters sent return address on another one read sim- forces as soon as possible,” explained had asserted that mathematical modeling through the postal system found to con- ply: “Terrorist,” with a notation on the President Kuchma. supported evidence that the missile that tain powdery like substances. When dis- envelope reading “anthrax enclosed.” The president also ordered the suspen- (Continued on page 8) covered, they have set-off a system of Mr. Moroz also explained that a dis- sion of all military exercises involving vigilance that has caused delays, stress proportionate number of the letters were Zenit-class missiles and a detailed and additional expenses. either from university student dormito- review of all air defense weapons. He “For the most part, these are tasked National Security and Defense pranksters,” said Volodymyr Moroz, first (Continued on page 8) Council Secretary Yevhen Marchuk with heading an interdepartmental task force Ukrainian center that would implement the various direc- tives he had issued. attacked in Moscow Requiem concert in Kyiv recalls Ukraine’s declaration of full responsi- by Roman Woronowycz bility for the destruction of the Sibir Kyiv Press Bureau Airlines TU-154 airliner and the deaths victims of terrorist attacksby Roman Woronowycz in U.S. of its 78 passengers on October 4, as KYIV – Unidentified assailants Kyiv Press Bureau well as admission that one of its S-200 heaved Molotov cocktails at the rockets released during live-fire exercis- Ukrainian Cultural Center (UCC) in KYIV – Citizens of Ukraine remem- es on the Crimean peninsula at the time Moscow in the wee hours of October 21 bered the victims of the September 11 ter- had caused the catastrophe, were the in what appears to have been an anti- rorist attacks on the United States during final steps in a gradual change in posi- Ukrainian attack. a requiem concert held at the National tion taken by the country. The perpetrators left leaflets that stat- Opera House of Ukraine in Kyiv on Originally Kyiv had absolutely ed the attack was in response to the October 22. refused to consider that one of its mis- destruction of the Sibir Airlines TU-154 The commemoration, titled “Sorrow – siles had gone astray and traveled 250 jet that resulted in the death of all 78 Remembrance – Hope” and featuring the kilometers off target. The first hint at a people on board and for “the ongoing Odesa State Philharmonic Orchestra con- change of stance came two days after the problems associated with the city of ducted by American Hobart Earle, was held tragedy when Prime Minister Anatolii Sevastopol.” 40 days after the death of more than 5,000 Kinakh stated that all possible versions The authors of the leaflets, which people during attacks on the World Trade as to what happened to the TU-154, were scattered before the building locat- Center in New York and the Pentagon in which was traveling over the Black Sea ed on historic Arbat Street in the heart of Washington, as well as in a plane crash in from Tel Aviv to Novosibirsk in Russia, Moscow, warned that Ukrainian leaders Pennsylvania. Ukrainians traditionally had to be considered. would be held accountable. No organiza- remember a deceased family member or Even as late as October 22 Mr. tion has claimed responsibility for the friend on the 40th day after the death. Marchuk, secretary of Ukraine’s act. U.S. Ambassador Carlos Pascual U.S. Ambassador Carlos Pascual, as National Security and Defense Council, The director of the UCC, Volodymyr speaks at requiem concert held had explained after a meeting of the Melnychenko, told The Weekly the fire in Kyiv. (Continued on page 5) Russian commission investigating the destruction of the TU-154 that, while all (Continued on page 8) 2 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, OCTOBER 28, 2001 No. 43 ANALYSIS NEWSBRIEFSNEWSBRIEFS Western support increases Kyiv, Prague disagree on debt be Mr. Pliusch’s bodyguard Oleksander Skliar. Mr. Skliar asked the patrol to call KYIV – Ukrainian Foreign Affairs for an ambulance, but died before it for Baltic membership in NATO Minister Anatolii Zlenko and his Czech arrived. Rada Vice-Chairman Viktor by Taras Kuzio contradiction of NATO’s “open door” counterpart, Jan Kavan, held talks in Medvedchuk told the Parliament on RFE/RL Newsline policy. The German position has gradual- Kyiv on October 22. Mr. Kavan urged October 24 that, according to an official ly evolved into cautious support, and Kyiv to repay its Soviet-era debt to the statement by the Internal Affairs Some Western commentators have France, too, now officially supports Czech Republic, which dates back to a Ministry, both men died of heart prob- expressed concern that Russia’s inclusion Baltic membership in NATO. construction accord in 1985. Kavan said lems. (RFE/RL Newsline) within the international coalition against Ultimately, however, it will be the the debt should have been repaid by the terrorism will lead to it demanding con- United States – the dominant country end of 2000. “Depending on the dollar- Rushailo: jet downed by missile cessions from the United States in areas within NATO – that will have the deci- hryvnia exchange rate to be used in cal- MOSCOW – Russian Security such as NATO enlargement. These fears sive say in whether the Balts are asked to culations, we think Ukraine’s debt Council Secretary Vladimir Rushailo seem to be increasingly unwarranted as join next year.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Atlas of American Orthodox Christian Monasteries
    Atlas of American Orthodox Christian Monasteries Atlas of Whether used as a scholarly introduction into Eastern Christian monasticism or researcher’s directory or a travel guide, Alexei Krindatch brings together a fascinating collection of articles, facts, and statistics to comprehensively describe Orthodox Christian Monasteries in the United States. The careful examina- Atlas of American Orthodox tion of the key features of Orthodox monasteries provides solid academic frame for this book. With enticing verbal and photographic renderings, twenty-three Orthodox monastic communities scattered throughout the United States are brought to life for the reader. This is an essential book for anyone seeking to sample, explore or just better understand Orthodox Christian monastic life. Christian Monasteries Scott Thumma, Ph.D. Director Hartford Institute for Religion Research A truly delightful insight into Orthodox monasticism in the United States. The chapters on the history and tradition of Orthodox monasticism are carefully written to provide the reader with a solid theological understanding. They are then followed by a very human and personal description of the individual US Orthodox monasteries. A good resource for scholars, but also an excellent ‘tour guide’ for those seeking a more personal and intimate experience of monasticism. Thomas Gaunt, S.J., Ph.D. Executive Director Center for Applied Research in the Apostolate (CARA) This is a fascinating and comprehensive guide to a small but important sector of American religious life. Whether you want to know about the history and theology of Orthodox monasticism or you just want to know what to expect if you visit, the stories, maps, and directories here are invaluable.
    [Show full text]
  • Ukraine's Relations with the EU and Russia
    Ukraine’s relations with the EU and Russia: Why geopolitics and domestic reforms are linked Iryna Solonenko1 Introduction After Ukraine’s former President Viktor Yanukovych refused to sign the country's Association Agreement (AA) with the EU in November 2013, a series of events unfolded that dramatically changed Ukraine’s relationship with the EU and Russia. The Euromaidan protests, or the “Revolution of Dignity,” which resulted in the transition of power from Yanukovych to the opposition, was followed by Russia’s military intervention, first the illegal invasion and annexation of Crimea and then the rise of Russian-backed separatists in the Donbas region. Although Russia denies its role in the proxy war taking place in the Donbas, ample evidence points to Russia’s direct involvement; Ukrainians overwhelmingly perceive the situation as the result of Russia’s actions.2 Russia annexed Crimea within less than a month in March 2014, and wrested part of Ukraine’s border territory in the Luhansk and Donetsk regions from Ukraine’s control. By May 2015, the war had left over 6000 people dead and more than 1.5 million displaced.3 This situation has already had a defining effect on Ukrainian-Russian relations and will continue to do so for years to come. Ukraine used to vacillate between integration projects with the EU and with Russia, avoiding a definitive choice between the two. This balancing act was also reflected in the protracted post-communist transformation and the lack of reforms that would Europeanize Ukraine. The prospect of signing the AA with the EU on the one hand and pressure from Russia to join the Customs Union (which, as of 2015, has become the Eurasian Economic Union) on the other hand demanded a choice in favor of one.
    [Show full text]
  • IFES Faqs on Elections in Ukraine
    Elections in Ukraine 2019 Presidential Election Frequently Asked Questions Europe and Eurasia International Foundation for Electoral Systems 2011 Crystal Drive | Floor 10 | Arlington, VA 22202 | www.IFES.org March 22, 2019 Frequently Asked Questions When is Election Day? ................................................................................................................................... 1 Why is this election important? .................................................................................................................... 1 What is the role of the president? ................................................................................................................ 1 What is the legal framework governing the elections? ................................................................................ 1 What is the electoral system? ....................................................................................................................... 2 Who are the candidates? .............................................................................................................................. 2 How are elections administered? ................................................................................................................. 3 Who can vote in these elections? ................................................................................................................. 4 How do citizens register to vote? ................................................................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • The History of Ukraine Advisory Board
    THE HISTORY OF UKRAINE ADVISORY BOARD John T. Alexander Professor of History and Russian and European Studies, University of Kansas Robert A. Divine George W. Littlefield Professor in American History Emeritus, University of Texas at Austin John V. Lombardi Professor of History, University of Florida THE HISTORY OF UKRAINE Paul Kubicek The Greenwood Histories of the Modern Nations Frank W. Thackeray and John E. Findling, Series Editors Greenwood Press Westport, Connecticut • London Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data Kubicek, Paul. The history of Ukraine / Paul Kubicek. p. cm. — (The Greenwood histories of the modern nations, ISSN 1096 –2095) Includes bibliographical references and index. ISBN 978 – 0 –313 – 34920 –1 (alk. paper) 1. Ukraine —History. I. Title. DK508.51.K825 2008 947.7— dc22 2008026717 British Library Cataloguing in Publication Data is available. Copyright © 2008 by Paul Kubicek All rights reserved. No portion of this book may be reproduced, by any process or technique, without the express written consent of the publisher. Library of Congress Catalog Card Number: 2008026717 ISBN: 978– 0– 313 – 34920 –1 ISSN: 1096 –2905 First published in 2008 Greenwood Press, 88 Post Road West, Westport, CT 06881 An imprint of Greenwood Publishing Group, Inc. www.greenwood.com Printed in the United States of America The paper used in this book complies with the Permanent Paper Standard issued by the National Information Standards Organization (Z39.48 –1984). 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 Every reasonable effort has been made to trace the owners of copyright materials in this book, but in some instances this has proven impossible.
    [Show full text]
  • The St Raphael Clergy Brotherhood of the Diocese of Wichita and Mid-America Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America
    The St Raphael Clergy Brotherhood of the Diocese of Wichita and Mid-America Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America "Grace proceeds from all that is good, but above all from brotherly love." (St Silouan the Athonite) Visit our Brotherhood's web site for helpful Liturgical Resources www.dowama.org and The DOWAMA Web Site at www.antiochian.org/DOWAMA Reflecting changes through August 2018 # = Full-time Chaplain (military, prison, hospital, etc.) * = Retired Clergy of DOWAMA : = On-loan to DOWAMA < = Attached > = Leave-of-Absence + = Deceased Spouse Bishop (1) (ESSEY), Bishop BASIL – St George Cathedral/Wichita KS [email protected] Archimandrites (4) (DAVIS), Archimandrite Jeremy – Holy Ascension/Norman,, OK [email protected] *EVANS, Archimandrite Michael – St Antony/Tulsa, OK [email protected] *GRIFFITH, Archimandrite Daniel – St Tikhon Monastery/South Canaan, PA [email protected] *KELLER, Archimandrite Daniel – Holy Spirit/Huntington, WV [email protected] Hieromonks (2) (PHILLIPS), Hieromonk Theodore – St Laurence Monastery/Tallahassee Creek, CO [email protected] (VREELAND), Hieromonk Philip (+Lilija) St Silouan Monastery House/Wichita, KS [email protected] Protopresbyter (1) O'CALLAGHAN, Protopresbyter Paul (Jeannie) St George Cathedral/Wichita, KS [email protected] Archpriests (35) BARR, Archpriest David (Luanne) St Elias/Austin, TX [email protected] BETHANCOURT, Archpriest John (Photina) Holy Trinity/Santa Fe, NM [email protected] * BUNDY, Archpriest Lester Michael (Suzanne) St
    [Show full text]
  • Contours and Consequences of the Lexical Divide in Ukrainian
    Geoffrey Hull and Halyna Koscharsky1 Contours and Consequences of the Lexical Divide in Ukrainian When compared with its two large neighbours, Russian and Polish, the Ukrainian language presents a picture of striking internal variation. Not only are Ukrainian dialects more mutually divergent than those of Polish or of territorially more widespread Russian,2 but on the literary level the language has long been characterized by the existence of two variants of the standard which have never been perfectly harmonized, in spite of the efforts of nationalist writers for a century and a half. While Ukraine’s modern standard language is based on the eastern dialect of the Kyiv-Poltava-Kharkiv triangle, the literary Ukrainian cultivated by most of the diaspora communities continues to follow to a greater or lesser degree the norms of the Lviv koiné in 1 The authors would like to thank Dr Lance Eccles of Macquarie University for technical assistance in producing this paper. 2 De Bray (1969: 30-35) identifies three main groups of Russian dialects, but the differences are the result of internal evolutionary divergence rather than of external influences. The popular perception is that Russian has minimal dialectal variation compared with other major European languages. Maximilian Fourman (1943: viii), for instance, told students of Russian that the language ‘is amazingly uniform; the same language is spoken over the vast extent of the globe where the flag of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics flies; and you will be understood whether you are speaking to a peasant or a university professor. There are no dialects to bother you, although, of course, there are parts of the Soviet Union where Russian may be spoken rather differently, as, for instance, English is spoken differently by a Londoner, a Scot, a Welshman, an Irishman, or natives of Yorkshire or Cornwall.
    [Show full text]
  • EUROPEAN SHORT COURSE Swimming Championships Finalists
    EUROPEAN SHORT COURSE Swimming Championships Finalists 20191 Some of the stars of the European Short Course Championships in Copenhagen- top row, left Kirill Prigoda (Russia), centre, Adam Peaty (Great Britain), right, Ruta Meilutyte (Lithuania); middle row, left, Radoslaw Kawecki (Poland), centre, Maxence Orange (France), right, Fanny Lecluyse (Belgium); bottom, left, Andri Govorov (Ukraine), centre, Sarah Koehler (Germany) and Julia Hassler (Liechtenstein), right, Matteo Rivolta (Italy) (Photos: Giorgio Scala & Andrea Staccioli, Deepbluemedia/Insidefoto) 2 European Short Course Swimming Championships Finalists Contents European Sprint Results - Men 4 European Sprint Results - Women 7 European Short Course Championship Venues 10 Short Course Results - Men 11 Short Course Results - Women 88 Short Course Results - Mixed 164 European Sprint Championships Medals Tables - by country 167 European Sprint Championships Medals Tables - by event 169 European Short Course Medals Tables - by country 172 European Short Course Medals Tables - by event 178 European Short Course Leading Medallists - all time 191 Please note that, unless stated otherwise, the photos in this book were taken at the 2017 European Short Course Championships in Copenhagen 3 European Sprints Results 1991 to 1994 This book is in two sections. The first The first European Sprints were held section deals with the European Sprint between December 6th and 8th 1991 at Championships held between 1991 and Gelsenkirchen, Germany when the city 1994; the second, with the European agreed to organise the event with only Short Course Championships from 1996 to four months notice. The first European the present time. The tables of individual Short Course Championships in Rostock medals and event medal tables at the end in 1996 saw a significant expansion with of this publication, therefore, treats them some 36 events.
    [Show full text]
  • Jewish Cemetries, Synagogues, and Mass Grave Sites in Ukraine
    Syracuse University SURFACE Religion College of Arts and Sciences 2005 Jewish Cemetries, Synagogues, and Mass Grave Sites in Ukraine Samuel D. Gruber United States Commission for the Preservation of America’s Heritage Abroad Follow this and additional works at: https://surface.syr.edu/rel Part of the Religion Commons Recommended Citation Gruber, Samuel D., "Jewish Cemeteries, Synagogues, and Mass Grave Sites in Ukraine" (2005). Full list of publications from School of Architecture. Paper 94. http://surface.syr.edu/arc/94 This Report is brought to you for free and open access by the College of Arts and Sciences at SURFACE. It has been accepted for inclusion in Religion by an authorized administrator of SURFACE. For more information, please contact [email protected]. JEWISH CEMETERIES, SYNAGOGUES, AND MASS GRAVE SITES IN UKRAINE United States Commission for the Preservation of America’s Heritage Abroad 2005 UNITED STATES COMMISSION FOR THE PRESERVATION OF AMERICA’S HERITAGE ABROAD Warren L. Miller, Chairman McLean, VA Members: Ned Bandler August B. Pust Bridgewater, CT Euclid, OH Chaskel Besser Menno Ratzker New York, NY Monsey, NY Amy S. Epstein Harriet Rotter Pinellas Park, FL Bingham Farms, MI Edgar Gluck Lee Seeman Brooklyn, NY Great Neck, NY Phyllis Kaminsky Steven E. Some Potomac, MD Princeton, NJ Zvi Kestenbaum Irving Stolberg Brooklyn, NY New Haven, CT Daniel Lapin Ari Storch Mercer Island, WA Potomac, MD Gary J. Lavine Staff: Fayetteville, NY Jeffrey L. Farrow Michael B. Levy Executive Director Washington, DC Samuel Gruber Rachmiel
    [Show full text]
  • A Turbulent Year for Ukraine Urbulent Was the Way to Describe 2009 for Ukraine, Which Plunged Into Financial Crisis
    No. 3 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, JANUARY 17, 2010 5 2009: THE YEAR IN REVIEW A turbulent year for Ukraine urbulent was the way to describe 2009 for Ukraine, which plunged into financial crisis. No other European country suffered as much as TUkraine, whose currency was devalued by more than 60 percent since its peak of 4.95 hrv per $1 in August 2008. In addition, the country’s industrial production fell by 31 percent in 2009. Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko con- fronted the challenge of minimizing the crisis fallout, while at the same time campaigning for the 2010 presi- dential elections. Her critics attacked her for pursuing populist policies, such as increasing wages and hiring more government staff, when the state treasury was broke as early as the spring. Ms. Tymoshenko herself admitted that her gov- ernment would not have been able to make all its pay- ments without the help of three tranches of loans, worth approximately $10.6 billion, provided by the International Monetary Fund. Her critics believe that instead of borrowing money, Ms. Tymoshenko should have been introducing radical reforms to the Ukrainian economy, reducing government waste, eliminating out- dated Soviet-era benefits and trimming the bureaucracy. The year began with what is becoming an annual tra- Offi cial Website of Ukraine’s President dition in Ukraine – a natural gas conflict provoked by the government of Russian Federation Prime Minister President Viktor Yushchenko and Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko at the heated February 10 meeting of Vladimir Putin. Whereas the New Year’s Day crisis of the National Security and Defense Council.
    [Show full text]
  • 1 Introduction
    State Service of Geodesy, Cartography and Cadastre State Scientific Production Enterprise “Kartographia” TOPONYMIC GUIDELINES For map and other editors For international use Ukraine Kyiv “Kartographia” 2011 TOPONYMIC GUIDELINES FOR MAP AND OTHER EDITORS, FOR INTERNATIONAL USE UKRAINE State Service of Geodesy, Cartography and Cadastre State Scientific Production Enterprise “Kartographia” ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Prepared by Nina Syvak, Valerii Ponomarenko, Olha Khodzinska, Iryna Lakeichuk Scientific Consultant Iryna Rudenko Reviewed by Nataliia Kizilowa Translated by Olha Khodzinska Editor Lesia Veklych ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ © Kartographia, 2011 ISBN 978-966-475-839-7 TABLE OF CONTENTS 1 Introduction ................................................................ 5 2 The Ukrainian Language............................................ 5 2.1 General Remarks.............................................. 5 2.2 The Ukrainian Alphabet and Romanization of the Ukrainian Alphabet ............................... 6 2.3 Pronunciation of Ukrainian Geographical Names............................................................... 9 2.4 Stress .............................................................. 11 3 Spelling Rules for the Ukrainian Geographical Names....................................................................... 11 4 Spelling of Generic Terms ....................................... 13 5 Place Names in Minority Languages
    [Show full text]
  • Reform Or Consensus? Choral Synagogues in the Russian Empire
    arts Article Reform or Consensus? Choral Synagogues in the Russian Empire Vladimir Levin The Center for Jewish Art, the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem 9190501, Israel; [email protected] Received: 5 May 2020; Accepted: 15 June 2020; Published: 23 June 2020 Abstract: Many scholars view the choral synagogues in the Russian Empire as Reform synagogues, influenced by the German Reform movement. This article analyzes the features characteristic of Reform synagogues in central and Western Europe, and demonstrates that only a small number of these features were implemented in the choral synagogues of Russia. The article describes the history, architecture, and reception of choral synagogues in different geographical areas of the Russian Empire, from the first maskilic synagogues of the 1820s–1840s to the revolution of 1917. The majority of changes, this article argues, introduced in choral synagogues were of an aesthetic nature. The changes concerned decorum, not the religious meaning or essence of the prayer service. The initial wave of choral synagogues were established by maskilim, and modernized Jews became a catalyst for the adoption of the choral rite by other groups. Eventually, the choral synagogue became the “sectorial” synagogue of the modernized elite. It did not have special religious significance, but it did offer social prestige and architectural prominence. Keywords: synagogue; Jewish history in Russia; reform movement; Haskalah; synagogue architecture; Jewish cultural studies; Jewish architecture 1. Introduction The synagogue was the most important Jewish public space until the emergence of secular institutions in the late nineteenth century. As such, it was a powerful means of representation of the Jewish community in its own eyes and in the eyes of the non-Jewish population.
    [Show full text]
  • The Impact of Covid-19 on Orthodox Groups and Believers in Russia
    The Impact of Covid-19 on Orthodox Groups and Believers in Russia Anastasia V. Mitrofanova Abstract This chapter intends to discover how Orthodox groups and believers of different ideological orientations in Russia reacted to the 2020 world health crisis. Its fo- cus lies on the groups and individual believers from the field of Russian Ortho- doxy who could be labelled as ‘fundamentalists’. Therefore, an analysis of the offi- cial ecclesiastical reaction to the pandemic will be provided, that underlines how some contradictory messages from above caused significant numbers of believers to sympathize with the so called “corona-dissidents” within the Church. Under the topic ‘dissidents’, various other groups apart from the fundamentalists such as the moderate traditionalists, liberals, or individuals who usually follow the mainstream ecclesiastical opinion, can be subsumed. Furthermore, it could be observed that fundamentalists mostly discuss themes that might be common for all “dissidents”, although they are more open towards their criticism in view of the mainstream reactions. They stick to the assumption that both mundane and ecclesiastical leaders have discredited themselves and need to be replaced. Keywords: Orthodox Christianity, Covid-19, Ecclesiastical Lockdown, Corona- Dissidents, Fundamentalist Networks, Traditionalism, Russian Orthodox Church 1. Introduction This chapter intends to discover how Orthodox groups and believers of different ideological orientations in Russia reacted to the 2020 world health crisis. It focusses on groups and individuals who are labelled as “fundamentalists”, because they be- lieve for instance that the entire socio-political life should be changed in terms of 48 AnastasiaV.Mitrofanova collective religious salvation.1 Apart from the official position of the Moscow Pa- triarchate («the patriarchal platform»), Irina Papkova distinguishes three informal political ideologies within the Russian Orthodox Church (ROC): liberal (associated with intra-church movements initiated by late Fr.
    [Show full text]