Leaders in the Euro-Asia Division of the
Seventh-day Adventist Church, a church
region that includes the Russian
Federation, released an official
statement last week, as they try to
counter false news circulating about the
status of the church in that country.
The statement, signed by the church
regional president M. F. Kaminsky, and
public affairs and religious liberty
director O. Y. Goncharov seeks to allay
fears after misinformation circulating
online stated that the Seventh-day
Adventist Church was about to be
banned from that nation.
Below is the official statement released
by the regional Adventist leaders.
Official Statement Regarding
Misinformation on the Activity of
the Seventh-day Adventist Church
in the Russian Federation
In light of the information that has
been published on the Internet on the
plans for placing a ban on the activity
of the Seventh-day Adventist Church in
Russia, we officially notify that any
such information received from
unofficial sources is not consistent with
the reality.
The Seventh-day Adventist Church in
the Russian Federation is a community-
focused denomination, with more than
130 years of service in this territory; a
fellowship of law-abiding believers,
who are striving, in their life and
ministry, to make positive impact on
the surrounding society.
In recent years, the Church has built, in
the spirit of mutual respect, a
constructive dialogue with state
authorities that allows opening new
possibilities to utilize the resources of
the Seventh-day Adventist Church for
supplying the needs of society. Indeed,
the program “The Health of Family the
Health of Nation” aimed at preventing
life-style related diseases is being
implemented by using a public grant
pursuant to the ordinance of the
President of the Russian Federation.
This attests to the fact that the Church’s
participation in public life is well
regarded by state authorities.
In view of this, we again solemnly
declare that there is no reason to
believe that any justified or sensible
reason exist for restricting or banning
the activity of the Seventh-day
Adventist Church in the Russian
Federation.
M.F. Kaminsky
President of the Euro-Asia Division of
the General Conference of Seventh-day
Adventists
O.Yu. Goncharov
Public Affairs and Religious Liberty
Director,
Euro-Asia Division of the General
Conference of Seventh-day Adventists
Member of the Advisory Council for
Cooperation with Religious Associations
Under the President of the Russian
Federation