Letters to the Editor

To the Editor,

With reference to your April 1996 cover story on the Church in Russia, why is the cross-bar Orthodox cross not displayed or worn elsewhere?

Walter Turchick

Franklin, NJ

Dear Walter,

The four-point cross generally used by Western Christians is only one of many variations of the crucifix, which took different forms in different parts of the Roman Empire — there were often extra bars over the head or to support the feet of the crucified person. The Orthodox six- and eight-point crosses, (incidentally also used by Catholics in the 13th-15th centuries) most commonly with an extra parallel bar above the main bar and/or a skew bar below it, are evidence of the greater extent of symbolism in the Eastern church. There are a number of explanations for this phenomenon, perhaps the most popular being that the upper bar represents the head of Christ, the lower the two robbers crucified with him, one of whom went to heaven (the end of the bar pointing upwards) and the other to hell (the end pointing downwards).

Interestingly, since Patriarch Nikon’s church reforms in the 17th century, Russian Orthodox Christians have also recognized the Western four-point cross. Old Believers, however, who refused to accept the reforms, still use exclusively the eight point cross and consider the Western cross heretical.

— The Editors

To the Editor:

I enjoy receiving and reading Russian Life.

However, I was extremely shocked at the picture and caption on page 11 of the May issue. I was aghast to think that such atrocities, needless to say the least, are still practiced by officers, nonetheless, of a so-called civilized nation. A young life dedicated to serving his country snuffed out for the mere senseless gratification of a group of idiotic, senseless, uncaring officers. It is tragic enough to lose a young life in war or an accident, but to willfully destroy a life for the mere gratification of a group of deranged officers is absolutely tragic. How can a civilized country condone such a hideous practice?

I think those officers should be court-martialed, lose their rank, and serve time in jail for murder, because that is what it is.

How can it be expected that young men will be proud to serve in their country’s military force, when that is what they face. It certainly doesn’t speak favorably about the moral fiber of the military.

Thank you for listening,

Outraged,

Harley Boehm

Loma Linda, CA

Dear Harley,

We share your outrage and can only hope that the culprits have been, or will be brought to justice. While the military leadership and judicial system are unable to cope with such problems, army morale will continue to be low and draft dodging the norm. A light may have appeared at the end of the tunnel, though. This May, President Yeltsin signed a decree abolishing the draft as of the year 2000. With a well-paid, professional army, Russia will have a chance to shake off the scourge of hazing. Let’s just hope that this is more than an empty pre-election promise.

— The Editors

To the Editor:

I just wanted to write to tell you how much I enjoy your magazine. Yours is by far the BEST magazine I receive. I especially enjoy the Survival Russian section, as I am a student of the Russian language. I also find your many articles on Russian culture, and current events very informative. Every time I get Russian Life in the mail I tell my wife what a wonderful magazine it is. Keep up the fantastic work.

Frank H. Senatore Jr.

Laurel Springs, N

April fooled

We were delighted to receive a number of phone calls relating to Briefs in our April issue. For those interested to know more about Sheremetyevo III Airport and the ‘Nizhnyland’ Disney project, we should point out that these schemes are mere fantasies in the minds of us, the editors.

— The Editors