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Signs of Trust and Hope
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Baptist President congratulates President Medvedev on his election victory
M o s c o w -- On 4 March, Pastor Yuri Sipko, President of the Russian Union of Evangelical Christians-Baptists (RUECB), congratulated Dimitry Medvedev on his election two days before as President of the Russian Federation. Sipko´s letter states at the outset that Medvedev´s victory “testifies to the huge trust which the residents of Russia place in you”. It continues: “You have shown the highest level of management gifts, a huge working capacity and political wisdom. Owing to your efforts in realising national projects, the country has made great steps in improving the living standard of our fellow citizens.”
Regarding the religious concerns of Baptists Sipko writes: “We want in particular to mention your tolerant attitude towards the different religions and your attention to the needs of the Russian people. We note your concern for the needy, the socially-endangered and pensioners.” He adds: “Your firm Christian position on moral issues and morality instils us with optimism and hope. I am certain that such a position will be a blessing to all the citizens of our grand nation. . . . We highly appreciate your personal contribution to development of church-state relations based on the principle of trust and strategic partnership. I hope they will continue to further the cause of a multi-confessional world and thereby maintain the stability and prosperity of our country.”
End of letter.
As leading government representative on the “Advisory Council for Cooperation with Religious Associations at the Seat of the President of the Russian Federation”, the 42-year-old Medvedev is probably the top-level government leader whom Russian Protestants know best. This inter-confessional forum had been created by President Vladimir Putin in 1995.
The RUECB, Russia’s largest unified Protestant church, represents 80.000 adult members in 1.750 congregations and groups.
Source: Dr. William Yoder
Department for External Church Relations, RUECB
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