During the past several weeks a flurry of reports have come out of Russia that may be relevant. On January 6, Russian President Dmitry Medvedev attended midnight Mass services celebrating the Russian Orthodox Christmas in grand splendor in the traditional Vigil liturgy in Saint Christ the Savior Cathedral in the presence of four thousand people. Days later, it was reported that the Russian government will spend $100 million to fix Christian churches -- many destroyed during the horror of Communism.
Medvedev's predecessor and close associate, Vladimir Putin (who many believe is still in charge of Russia), wears a Cross. Both Putin and Medvedev frequently attend church, have been witnessed kissing icons of the Virgin Mary, and seek political and moral counsel from the Russian Orthodox clergy (in stark contrast to the comportment of American leaders).
Meanwhile, also in January, photographs have circulated of Soviet cosmonauts in the space station with four Christian icons, the Gospels, and a relic of the "true" Cross. In one photo, the relic is floating in weightlessness.
The conversion of Russia, as prophesied?
Not yet.
...not yet....but who knows the final outcome and when......this week, Yury Luzhkov, the mayor of Moscow, was quoted by Interfax news agency as calling plans for a gay-rights march there "satanic," a statement that would never be uttered by a mayor in a major American city.
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