40 Days for Life in Russia (Pro-Life Campaign Exported to 1st Country to Legalize Abortion)

40 Days for Life ^ | 03/29/2014 | Shawn Carney

[Pyro7480]

God has taken 40 Days for Life to some unexpected places during the past six years – but none quite so unexpected as Russia.

The second 40 Days for Life campaign in Moscow is now going on …. and there are plans for more Russian campaigns in the future.

Robert Colquhoun, our international outreach director, just visited Moscow to encourage the volunteers there. Here’s Robert’s report from the capital of Russia.

It was a great trip! I enjoyed meeting Arevik, the local leader in Moscow, and enjoyed their kind hospitality. I also met Anastasia, who wants to start a campaign in St. Petersburg. A number of other cities have also followed on board praying for life.

A press conference at the Interfax news agency was the highlight of the trip. It was a bit odd to have a receptive national media willing to spread your message – as opposed to the UK and the US.

At this event, Arevik spoke about the history of abortion in Russia and how that has shaped people’s values and mentality.

In 1920, Russia became the first country in the world to legalise abortion. For several generations of women, Arevik said, abortion was the primary means of birth control. Abortion became the norm, and a significant portion of the population believes that a person’s life begins at birth, not conception.

I was able to meet with Father Dimitry, an Orthodox priest, and Bishop Matts-Ola Iskhoel, the senior pastor of Word of Life Church in Moscow, which is Arevik’s church. This church is well organised, with about 4,000 members and seven churches in Moscow.

The Moscow vigil has been beset by challenges. For one thing, public prayer is something totally inconceivable in Russia.

In addition to that, the police have not granted permission for the vigil this year, apart from having a small number of people for a very restricted period. The police stopped some of the prayer volunteers on the first day because of this. However, they are still praying around the corner and keeping the vigil going.

Last year, they conducted the vigil more anonymously; but this year, they wanted to have signs. Freedom of expression is not something that is deeply enshrined in Russia. But Arevik hopes this will change over time.

In short, the Russian volunteers are doing great in adverse situations – and hats off to them!

[Pyro7480]

This is a worthwhile and amazing effort in a country that definitely could use the prayers.

[Pyro7480]

Catholic and pro-life ping!

[chajin]

в России! I would not have believed it. Prayers rising...

[yefragetuwrabrumuy]

Russia should be a superb place to have a pro-life movement, especially if their government can put two and two together and realize that pro-life equals more Russians and a stronger Russia.

The flip side is also true, that their sky high abortion rate is devastating their country. So if they want to be patriotic, they should embrace pro-life at every opportunity.

[RightOnTheBorder]

With all the Russian government sponsored “make babies” campaigns you read about I imagine the 40 Days for Life people recieved a warm welcome (as they should).

[Viennacon]

Hats off to them! Excellent to see the Orthodox involved, since they wield enviable clout with the Russian government. What’s more, the birthrate issue aids the cause to ban slaughtering children in Russia.

[yefragetuwrabrumuy]

In Russia it is important that it be seen as a purely Russian idea and program. They may “cut off their nose to spite their face” if there is even a hint of “foreign” influence or even involvement. Strictly Russian and Russian Orthodox, and hopefully there will be blessings all around.

[dsc]

1. *Wow* was that a confusing headline.

2. Russia is not and never has been a 1st world country.

3. Good for 40 Days for Life. Well done.

4. Thank you, God, and all the angels and saints, for helping in the fight against wanton baby-killing.

[Pyro7480]

The headline doesn’t say Russia is a 1st world country. It says it was the first country to legalize abortion.

[dsc]

“It says it was the first country to legalize abortion.”

Emily Litella mode on.

Well, I did say that the headline was confusing. Never mind.

[Patton@Bastogne]

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Pro-Life Victory vs. "Render Unto Caesar" ...

Pro-Life Victory vs. "Render Unto Caesar" - (click)



IRS & Church Marriage vs. "Render Unto Caesar" ...

IRS & Church Marriage vs. "Render Unto Caesar" - (click)




What Church Pastor has the courage to watch this message ... ?

Are today's Christians able to hear and recieve a challenging and difficult, albeit "true", look at why Jesus Christ commanded "Render Unto Caesar" message ?


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[Mrs. Don-o]

Our son Ivan (Vanya) was born in Kamchatka in 1992. I remember the shock I received when I saw a chart of the abortion rate in Russia, which, in all cases Himalayan, reached its Mt. Everest of murder in --- my eyes were bugging out ---- 1992.

In 1992 the ratio of abortions to live births was over 2 to 1. Probably even higher in Kamchatka, where things were rather desperate in the immediate aftermath of the collapse of the USSR.

I am forever thankful to my son's natural parents, Larissa Ivanovna Kavilkavov and Nicolai Ivanov Kavilkavov, for bringing him forth alive in the midst of this abortion massacre.

I have no idea the present whereabouts of his parents --- and I have never met them --- but I put their names here in hopes that someday they will get on the Internet and find themselves, and realize that their good and virtuous act has drawn forth from me, gratitude, and from God, I hope, heavenly blessings.