Russian Orthodox clerics lead reburial
MARIA DANILOVA
Associated Press
MOSCOW - Orthodox priests chanted prayers and believers lighted candles as Patriarch Alexy II led reburial rites Monday for Gen. Anton Denikin, who fought against the Red Army during Russia's civil war and is now cast as a patriot.
The ceremony was the Russia's latest attempt to close a bitter chapter in history, when the country was divided into Communists and their foes. The reconciliation seeks to give respect to all Russians who fought for their nation.
Denikin, who died in exile in the United States in 1947, was laid to rest together with Russian philosopher Ivan Ilyin and the wives of the two men in the historic Donskoy Monastery in central Moscow.
"Today's event testifies to the fact that the restoration of the unity of our people, divided by the tragic history of the past century, is being completed," Alexy said in an icon-filled chapel.
Russia has long been split over its historical legacy, but some warned that the rift could not be accomplished by the reburial alone.
"This is a small step toward reunification ... toward forming some new identity," said Andrei Zolotov, chief editor of the Russia Profile magazine who has written on cultural and religious issues.
He said that besides symbolic gestures, reconciliation will require a broad public discussion on the country's history.
"We need to be clear on our identity. ... Are we in Russia, are we in the U.S.S.R., or are we in the West?" asked Igor Chubais, a historian.
The reburial came as debate reopened on whether to remove the body of Soviet founder Vladimir Lenin from its mausoleum on Red Square for burial in a cemetery.
In a sign the Kremlin was testing the public opinion for removal of Lenin's embalmed remains, Georgy Poltavchenko, a regional envoy of President Vladimir Putin, said last week that they should be buried in a cemetery with other Bolshevik dignitaries.
Putin said in 2001 he opposed the removal of Lenin's body from its Red Square tomb in order to keep civil peace. His predecessor, Boris Yeltsin, strongly pushed for the removal, but was opposed by the Communist Party and others.
Communist Party chief Gennady Zyuganov reiterated his criticism Monday to removing Lenin's body, calling it "a crusade against ideas, graves and against history."
Zyuganov, however, said he didn't oppose Denikin's reburial, saying each person has the right to be buried in his homeland.
About 500 Russians attended the heavily guarded ceremony Monday, some holding flowers and lighting candles.
In accordance with Russian tradition, Denikin's daughter, Marina, who is her 80s, tossed a handful of earth onto the coffin as it was lowered.
Earlier this year, Putin granted her Russian citizenship, and he is to meet with her during her stay in Russia.
"People are finally returning from forced exile," said Dina Chernova, a 66-year-old pensioner. "These were true people, true sons of Russia."
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