Archive - 2013

The situation at the state border between South Ossetia and Georgia, as well as security issues in the areas adjacent to the state border have been discussed today in Ergneti during the 38th meeting in the framework of the mechanisms for preventing and responding to incidents (MPRI).
As reported on the results by the head of the South Ossetian delegation Khokh Gagloyty, have been studied in detail the incidents that have occurred since the previous meeting.
"In particular, was discussed the act committed by a group of unknown persons on October 12 near the South Ossetian village of Mugut and the Georgian village of Dvani", - he said.
The unknown persons, according to Gagloyty, penetrated into the territory of South Ossetia by about 20 meters and installed the wooden cross there.
"We have promptly notified the EU Monitoring Mission, expressing the utter rejection of the deliberate action that means that the state border of South Ossetia has been deliberately violated. We have learned that the Georgian priest through the Georgian media called for building a temple on this particular spot", - he said.
The South Ossetian side "has appreciated highly" the speech of the new head of EU observers in Georgia Toivo Klaar in the Georgian media, who has called the incident dangerous and unproductive.
" We have no doubt that the perpetrators of this action were politically motivated. There was no any religious or moral motivation in this act "- underlined Gagloyty.
Today the new head of EU observers in Georgia Toivo Klaara was introduced to the participants of the meeting. The South Ossetian side expressed the hope that the level of the EU Monitoring Mission in Georgia would remain at the same professional level with the appointment of the new head.

In Tskhinval has been held a meeting of the Plenipotentiary Presidential Envoy of South Ossetia for post-conflict settlement Murat Dzhioev with representatives of the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, members of the Russian delegation at the Geneva international discussions on security in Transcaucasia - Deputy Director of the Fourth CIS Department Alexei Dvinyaninov and Adviser to the Minister Marat Kulakhmetov. The meeting was also attended by members of the South Ossetian delegation at the Geneva talks Konstantin Kochiev and Khokh Gagloyty. During the meeting they discussed issues of preparation for the scheduled November 6, 2013 next round of the Geneva talks, the situation at the border between South Ossetia and Georgia, as well as some aspects of regional security and stability.
Russian diplomats expressed support for comprehensive efforts of the South Ossetian partners to strengthen the independence and security of the Republic, including the works at the border with Georgia carried out in accordance with the principles and norms of international law.

Questions of the Investment Program to promote socio-economic development of the Republic of South Ossetia in 2013 were discussed at a government meeting chaired by Prime Minister Rostislav Khugaev.
A report on this issue made the Minister for Economic Development Zalina Khugati, according to which it is necessary to define the state customers of the Investment program 2013.

A copy of the Shroud of Turin has been delivered to the South Ossetian capital, with the assistance of the Public Fund "Revival of Orthodoxy in South Ossetia," the Missionary Department of Vladikavkaz and the Alan Diocese of the Russian Orthodox Church. According to a member of the Foundation Board "Rebirth of Orthodoxy in South Ossetia" Sava Gagloev, along with the shroud were also brought the relics of the great Christian ascetics of the fourth century, a warrior St.Theodore Stratelates.

Russian Presidential Aide Vladislav Surkov and South Ossetian President Leonid Tibilov inspected the reconstructed facilities in Tskhinval. They were accompanied by Prime Minister Rostislav Khugaev, Deputy Prime Minister Domenty Kulmbegov, Minister of Construction Edward Dzagoev and Minister of Culture Makharbeg Kokoev. Surkov has seen the construction of a number of facilities in the center of the South Ossetian capital - the State Drama Theatre, State Museum, government buildings, sports complex by Alina Kabaeva.

In Tskhinval, under the chairmanship of the President of South Ossetia Leonid Tibilov was held a working meeting with participation of the heads of several ministries and agencies of South Ossetia, Russian Presidential Aide Vladislav Surkov and Deputy Secretary of the Russian Security Council Rashid Nurgaliyev.
The President has expressed the hope that with the appointment of Vladislav Surkov will continue fruitful work on socio-economic development of South Ossetia.

Today in Tskhinval have arrived the RF Presidential Aide for cooperation with South Ossetia and Abkhazia Vladislav Surkov and Deputy Secretary of the Russian Security Council Rashid Nurgaliyev. In the South Ossetian capital has been held a meeting with President Leonid Tibilov and members of the government.
During the meeting, the President has told about the progress of implementation of the Investment program, noting that it covered a lot of facilities and spheres.

Presidential Plenipotentiary Envoy of the Republic of South Ossetia for post-conflict settlement Murat Dzhioev has received today the head of the defense department of the International Committee of the Red Cross in the Republic of South Ossetia, Anne-Celine Muara, As IA "Res" was reported at the press service of the Presidential Envoy of South Ossetia, "during the meeting they discussed issues related to searching for the South Ossetian citizens, missing since the Georgian aggression against South Ossetia in 1991 -1992 and in 2008. Noting the importance of the work to clarify the fate of persons considered to be missing, the two sides expressed their readiness for further cooperation in this matter, including in the framework of the tripartite coordination mechanism to address the issues on the missing persons."
For the South Ossetian part the meeting was also attended by Deputy Presidential Plenipotentiary Envoy of the Republic of South Ossetia Khokh Gagloyty and the Commissioner for Human Rights under the President of South Ossetia Inal Tasoev representing South Ossetia in the tripartite coordination mechanism.

October 16, 2013 a copy of the Shroud of Turin will arrive in Tskhinval. The event is organized by the Public Fund "Revival of Orthodoxy in South Ossetia" with the assistance of the Missionary Department of Vladikavkaz and the Alanian Diocese of the Russian Orthodox Church, said IA "Res" the Commissioner for Religious Affairs under the President of the Republic of South Ossetia Sonia Khubaeva.
According to her, the residents of South Ossetia will be given a rare opportunity to see and touch one of the copies consecrated on the original.
"The Shrine was brought to North Ossetia, but not everyone in South Ossetia could afford to travel to Vladikavkaz, therefore, every Orthodox in Tskhinval will be able to worship the shrine," - said Khubaeva.
The Holy Shroud will be exhibited on October 16 - 17.
"Access to the shrine will be available from 12:00 to 20:00. October 17 at 09:00 in front of the shrine will be served a Divine Liturgy, "-said the official.
During the event, it will be shown a film that tells about the research conducted around the Shroud.
"The belief that Jesus Christ as the God-man existed and sacrificed himself is shown in this film. For the Orthodox, it is a good material to strengthen their faith. The faith that was traditional for the Ossetians should be strengthened in our land, "- said Sonia Khubaeva.
For several centuries in the Cathedral of the Italian city of Turin is kept large linen cloth, on its yellowish- white background are blurry brown spots. From a distance one can see clear outlines of a human figure and a man's face with a beard and long hair. Tradition says that this is the Shroud of Jesus Christ. It burned three times and miraculously survived. In the middle ages it was repeatedly boiled in oil, washed to clean the soot and for being convinced of its holiness, but the image remained unimpaired.
In 1889, the Shroud was first photographed. And what a surprise it was for the photographer Secondo Pia, when on the glass of the negative was developed a striking image of Christ after the crucifixion removed from the cross. Amazing face, full of peace and transcendent greatness, though with signs of severe suffering: a high forehead with visible trickles of blood, on his hands and feet marks of the nails; bruises on his body.
Since that time has started the research phase of the study of the Shroud. It was subjected to radiocarbon analysis; experts from around the world have participated in its studying. The shroud has truly become for thousands of modern scientists as the "fifth gospel," the gospel of suffering and resurrection of Jesus Christ. But they all agree on one thing - the Shroud is authentic and the picture on it is not the work of man.
The Shroud shows not only the crucifixion of Jesus, but also His resurrection. In a sealed cave he had just a shroud, so only it witnessed the resurrection of the Lord.
In the Jubilee years (every 25 years) in the Turin Cathedral of St. John the Baptist the Shroud for several days is available for public worship (the rest of time it is kept in a special chapel inside the cathedral in an armored ark). In 2000, the Jubilee of the birth of Christ was made a limited number of copies of the Holy Shroud, consecrated on the original.

South Ossetian Orthodox are celebrating today the feast of the Intercession of the Mother of God. In honor of the feast in the Church of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin in Tskhinval took place the solemn liturgy served by priests of the Alan Diocese. As the news agency "Res" was informed by the priest Jacob Khetagurov, the Intercession of the Mother of God is a great feast, instituted by the church in memory of the miraculous appearance of the Mother of God in Vlaherna Church of Constantinople in the 10th century.
"This wonderful event happened in the Byzantine Empire, when Constantinople was surrounded by people of other religions. During the night service, among the believers was of one of the Scythians, the blessed Andrew Fool- for-Christ`s sake. During the prayer, he saw a walking on air the Blessed Virgin Mary, surrounded by angels and saints," - said Father Jacob.
Virgin Mary was praying for the people, and at the end of the prayer she took her headscarf off and spread it over the people.
"Then, the city sank into the thick fog, which signified the whole Christian world protection from visible and invisible enemies," - said Father Jacob.
The priest has underlined that for residents of South Ossetia this holiday is especially precious, because in August 2008 the Virgin Mary covered Tskhinval with her headscarf and saved it from the enemy.
"A few people have even seen the Virgin looking at Tskhinval from the heights, and the city was as if in a fog. Then the Virgin Mary saved us from certain death from enemy bullets, covered us with her headscarf, and we were protected. On this day, we thank the Virgin Mary for the salvation and pray to the Queen of Heaven to protect our country and us from all evil,"- said Father Jacob.
On the feast of the Intercession of the Mother of God the whole family goes to church to implore the intercession of the Mother of God.