"Let this great celebration unite all of us in the service for our Motherland," Alexis II said.
"We bow to you, Heroes, veterans of the war and workers at the home front for your sacrifices and great feats of valor," the Patriarch stressed.
"The Russian Orthodox Church has always been together with the Russian people in the times of happiness and tribulations alike," Alexei II added. He reminded that on June 22, 1941 (when Nazi Germany attacked the Soviet Union) after a prayer service at the Theopany Cathedral Metropolitan Sergius addressed the believers with an appeal to "stand like one in defense of the Motherland." In addition, the Orthodox believers donated funds to create the Dmitry Donskoy tank column and the Alexander Nevsky air squadron.
"We must remember the war despite 60 years that separate us from the Great Victory because the Great Patriotic War has an enormous educational importance for the young generations, which are not aware of the hardships endured by their fathers grandfathers on the battlefields," Alexis II emphasized.
The Patriarch spoke against the attempts of certain foreign countries to revise the results of the Second World War.
"It is sad for us to know that there are attempts in certain countries to downplay the role played by Russia in the victory over Nazism and put those who ensured this Victory on par with those who fought against our soldiers-liberators," Alexis II underlined.
During his speech at the Christ the Savior Cathedral, deputy chair of the Victory Committee, twice the Hero of the Soviet Union, Air Marshal Aleksandre Yefimov pointed out that there are fewer and fewer war veterans left. "And we, the remaining veterans must tell the young generations the truth about the war, both tragically and heroic, and inspire them to mutual understanding, respect and reconciliation, so that they never look at each other through the gun sights," Yefimov appealed.
About 1,000 veterans and Heroes of Russia and also cadets of military schools participated in the meeting.
