A
Message to the
Annual Petrov Dien
Doukhobor Peace Day
by
Koozma
J. Tarasoff — June 29, 2006
Doukhobor Heritage Village, Verigin, Saskatchewan
Congratulations to all
those
gathered here for making your voice known about the
importance of peace
in the world today. As one of the first pacifists in the
world, the
1895 heroic act of our ancestors in Tsarist Russia was a
noble effort
in speaking to the world about the need to get rid of wars
and the
institution of militarism once and for all.
It is indeed appropriate
that
you begin your celebration by commemorating Matvey Vasilevich
Lebedev
who on Easter Sunday in 1895 together with his ten friends
refused
military service and at gunpoint were arrested and
severely persecuted.
They were the brave ones who set an example for others in
June to burn
their guns.
Today the world military
expenditure has reached an all-time high of $1.1 trillion (USD).
That’s a huge
amount
that robs us the peoples of the world from enjoying the
full fruits
of life, good health, adequate housing, education,
employment, a
clean environment, and culture.
Let us rededicate our
efforts
to work for the creation of a non-killing society. That’s
the civilized
way. That’s the way of the future. The way to peace is
peace!
From a fellow Spirit
Wrestler,
Koozma J. Tarasoff
Ottawa, Ontario
PS: Alexei M.
Oslopov and I
would like to thank the Kamsack, Canora, and Verigin
Doukhobors for
their warm hospitality during our recent
visit to your area in May. You
went out of your way to help us experience the pioneering
locations
that our ancestors settled in 1899. One of those areas was
a visit to
the Nadezhda
Cemetery
where Matvey Lebedev was buried. You also showed
us that the tradition of hospitality is alive and well.
Thank you very
much.
You may see some of these photos on my website: Spirit-Wrestlers.com.
Email: tarasoff@spirit-wrestlers.com
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