Church of Scientology of Moscow Celebrates 22nd Anniversary of Its Official Registration

MOSCOW, March 16, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- The Church of Scientology of Moscow hosted a gala celebration, marking the anniversary of its official registration 22 years ago. The event was attended by dignitaries who stressed the importance of the opening of the Moscow Church and what it has meant to the nation.

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The celebration began with the wedding of two Scientologists. The ceremony stresses the sanctity of marriage, a view that is echoed by the many Scientology religious services that focus on strengthening and preserving the family.

Next was a presentation by Vladimir Kuropyatnik, who was integral to registering the Church of Scientology of Moscow and served as the first president of the Church. He spoke of the dawn of the Scientology movement in Moscow and why he decided to open a Scientology Church in Russia.

"In the 1990s, the Russian people were concerned about their lives, and worried about the future. They felt insecure and confused," he said. "The first Scientologists I met exuded a calm optimism. I then traveled to Europe and the United States to find out for myself what Scientology was and I realized that Scientology was exactly what my country needed."

"Scientology is a religion of modern men and women, active, seeking to know life and change their environment," he said. "And Scientology provides the tools to accomplish that. This is a religion of a new type—not just something you believe in but something you can do."

"In Scientology, we stress knowledge," said Anton Lychkin, who serves as President of the Church of Scientology Moscow today. "Drugs and moral decline prevent Man from attaining salvation as a spiritual being, which is why we support a number of public awareness campaigns, such as a drug education and prevention initiative, a human rights campaign, Volunteer Ministers and the dissemination of The Way to Happiness, a nonreligious moral code that helps restore moral values in our Russian society."

The aims of Scientology are as stated by Scientology Founder L. Ron Hubbard are "A civilization without insanity, without criminals and without war, where the able can prosper and honest beings can have rights, and where Man is free to rise to greater heights." The similarity of these aims with those of other religions was noted by guest speakers, such as a representative of the Society for Krishna Consciousness and a member of the Moscow Government Nationalities Council.

"God is one and only," said a lama who serves as abbot of a local Buddhist temple. "What are different are the robes, services, languages and skin colors. Buddha, Mohammed, Jesus and L. Ron Hubbard are the great names of history who showed people the same thing—that the essence of truth is love and respect. One should love Man in spite of all."

Gayar Akhmetovich Iskandyarov, Chairman of the Foundation for the Development of Muslim Peoples, spoke of the importance of maintaining an interchange of views and working together in many common fields of endeavor.

Throughout the evening, talented young artists preformed songs, dances and popular classics.

The program ended with the presentation of a special cake, baked for the festive celebration by the most accomplished Scientology confectioners.

The Church of Scientology of Moscow is dedicated to helping the Russian people attain spiritual freedom and change their environment for the better and works to carry out their mission for Muscovites and people from every corner of the Russian Federation and Commonwealth of Independent States.

Contact: Media Relations - (323) 960-3500             [email protected]

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SOURCE Church of Scientology of Moscow