Interview with Katsiaryna Foronda on October 10th, 2010. Minsk, Belarus.
Interview with the Head of Council for Foreign Relations of an American Charitable Foundation The Saviour Katsiaryna Foronda
10.10.2010
Minsk, Belarus
- In the United States we have a lot of orthodox events during the year, but no one of them is such large-scale orthodox events like Pokrovski Kirmash. There is nothing goes for a week or 10 days, and the reason for it is absence of such a big number of people like in Belarus or Russia. I think, that a total number of the parishioners in the USA are, probably, less than the total number of all the people, who will visit the Belorussian exhibition for 10 days here.
Like I said, in the USA church (I mean all orthodox parishes) organizes a lot of events, but each of them goes only one day and it is conducted in a little bit different way.
First of all, a church service is held not only in Russian, but also in English and Greek languages.
Thus, in the Church of Saint Sergius of Radonezh which located in New York at the same building that the Synod of Bishops of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia services are held in English language there for those, who don't understand Russian. The reason for it is that a lot of old immigrants don't speak Russian language, because many of them were born in America, some others came long time ago and simply forget it. The English language is easier for them. There are also some other arrangements of secular character, and they are held more often that religious ones.
How do you evaluate the cultural-educative program We are together, firstly held by The Saviour Fund at the Pokrovski Kirmash?
- It is difficult to say, but I had a very pleasant feeling of inspiration. I didn't expect, all people here are very nice. I was glad to meet a poet and a bard Julia Mit'ko, and an artist Svetlana Tsivil'ko. Both of them participated before in 2 actions of our fund devoted to children By Name of Childhood. The child's group Yagnyatki is amazing. I could not expect that so many different people will come to our presentation. It was also very nice that nobody was sleeping during the concert and nobody left the hall before performance was over. I have got a lot of compliments and warm words after our presentation. All these things together mean for me we are on the right way.
Compared with the two previous days, which were so difficult and unpleasant, today's day is like a paradise.
What are the plans of the The Saviour Fund?
- I've already talked to the organizer of this exhibition, Natalia. She said that she's very glad our Fund has appeared here and was presented to Belorussian people. She proposed a lot of ideas. We have some projects too. But I can't say, that we will realize them at once. Everything should be done step by step, and we definitely will achieve our goal. I will do my best to come to Belarus as often as I can, and to organize not only arrival of the Fund itself, but also make the priests from Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia to come to Belarus and bring here Icon Kursk Korennaya -- The Sign.
What would you wish to the Belorussian people?
- I would wish for those, who will see, will hear or will know about our fund. If you came once, don't leave us anymore. We've only begun our work. And if we make some mistakes or do something wrong, and it looks foolish or naive for you, please, do not judge us very strictly, because everything we do is created from the bottom of our heart. And as I've said, if you came to us, please, don't leave, but follow us and support us, because we really need you. Thanks!