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Версия
October 17, 2009
Krasnodar (Yekaterinodar), Russia: The Historic Hand-Over Ceremony of Regalia from
the Kuban Cossack Voisko in the USA to Russia
On the feast of the Protection
of the Most Holy Theotokos, Kuban Cossacks mark the day of their
rebirth. In the great hall of the Kuban Cossack Voisko in Krasnodar
(formerly Yekaterinodar), a
triumphal gathering took place on the occasion of the 19th anniversary
of the restoration of the Kuban Cossack Voisko (KCV). In attendance
were Krasnodar Governor Alexander N. Tkachyov, Chairman of the
Legislative Assembly of Krasnodar Vladimir A. Beketov, Ataman of the
KCV Nikolai A. Doluda, His Eminence, Metropolitan Isidor or
Ekaterinodar and the Kuban, members of Cossack organizations, and a
delegation of Cossacks from the United States, led by Ataman Alexander
M. Pewnew, which arrived on the eve of the great feast.
The cossacks received their
principal gift several days before the official celebrations. A second
shipment of regalia, having left abroad almost 90 years prior,
returned to Krasnodar. The regalia were held for many years in the
U.S., in the KCV Musem in Howell, New Jersey. In this little American
town, the Kuban Cossacks built a Cossack cultural center with a musem,
as well as a picturesque little church, dedicated to St. George the
Trophy-bearer. On July 17 of this year, on the feast of the Holy Royal
Martyrs, His Grace, Bishop Jerome of Manhattan, vicar bishop of the
Eastern American Diocese (ROCOR), blessed the regalia for their
long-awaited trip home. The return of the regalia was the bedrock
event of this festive week. Priceless artifacts, including imperial
gramatas, silverware, and banners among others, were placed on display
for all to see in the foyer of the Kuban Cossack Choir hall.
Guests were greeted by the Kuban Concert Band, while all who wished
could acquaint themselves with the works of masters of the previous
century. Also presented as part of the arts and crafts display of the
University of Culture and the Arts were wicker kerchiefs and
articles made from straw.
The Kuban Voisko was first
greeted with the important, if not round-numbered, date by Governor
Tkachyov, who called the rebirth of the KCV the primary goal not only
of the Cossacks, but of the entire five-million strong Kuban, as
well, saying:
"These two decades have
been a time when we literally raised ourselves up from the ruins,
resurrecting piece by piece our memory and heritage. And today Kuban
once again has its legendary memorial to Catherine the Great,
the white Cossack Voisko Cathedral of St. Alexander Nevsky – the
soul and symbol of our land. But most importantly, Kuban once more has
its youthful and mighty Cossack Voisko, as it did a century and two
centuries ago, which with faith and truth serves the Fatherland."
On this day, in front of
thousands of witnesses in the hall, the historic hand-over ceremony of
the Kuban Cossack Voisko regalia took place. The atamans of the
KCV in Russia and abroad came together on stage and, according to
their agreement, Nikolai Doluda handed over to Alexander Pewnew
replicas of the banners, while the later handed over the originals,
shipped from the United States.
The triumphal event ended with
a performance by members of the famed Kuban Cossack Choir.
Media
Office of the Eastern American Diocese
from materials of the official website
of the Kuban Cossack Voisko
www.slavakubani.ru
