Archbishop Justinian Tells Federal Media About the Appearance in Elista

On 8 September in Elista, Archbishop Justinian of Elista and Kalmykia met journalists from federal media outlets who had arrived in the republic to cover the events marking the 80th anniversary of the Appearance of Christ the Saviour.

The media tour includes representatives of Channel One and Russia 1, Dutchman in Russia blogger Machiel Sneep, Zen channel editor Svetlana Davydova, and Alisa Klimantovich, Head of News at the Greater Asia television channel.

Archpriest Alexey Grishchenko welcomed the guests at the Cathedral of the Kazan Icon of the Mother of God. The journalists then visited the Church of the Exaltation of the Cross, where, according to parishioner testimonies, the Appearance of Christ the Saviour took place on 11 September 1946. Archbishop Justinian spoke about the event and the history of church life in post-war Kalmykia.

Archpriest Alexey Grishchenko highlighted the history of the Church of the Exaltation of the Cross. It remained open during the Soviet period and served as the diocesan cathedral from 1995 to 1997, until the new cathedral opened.

The tour also introduces the visitors to the republic’s culture. The journalists visited the Tseren open-air ethnographic museum and learned about traditional crafts, the Todo Bichig script, and Kalmyk cuisine.

Source: the press release provided for publication.