We representatives of the Evangelical Baptist Church of Georgia, represented by Archbishop Malkhaz Songulashvili and Bishop Merab Gaprindashvili, and Union of Evangelical Christian-Baptists of Russia, represented by the Revd President Yuri Sipko and the Revd Vitaly Vlasenko, met in Kiev on 30th October 2008.
Declaration ”Blessed are the peacemakers." Matthew 5:9
We representatives of the Evangelical Baptist Church of Georgia, represented by Archbishop Malkhaz Songulashvili and Bishop Merab Gaprindashvili, and Union of Evangelical Christian-Baptists of Russia, represented by the Revd President Yuri Sipko and the Revd Vitaly Vlasenko, met in Kiev on 30th October 2008. The meeting was facilitated by the former President of the European Baptist Federation, the Revd Gregory Komendant.
To sort out our relations between our churches and offer visible symbol of possible reconciliation between our churches, peoples and countries.
We condemn the war between our countries as pointless and brutal. The issues between our countries should not be solved by military means.
We call the Russian and Georgian authorities to seek peaceful resolution of the conflict between our countries.
We urge all the peoples of faith communities to facilitate the process of forgiveness and reconciliation between our peoples.
We mourn about the death of all civilians and soldiers from all the sides who lost their lives during the war.
We agree to fully recognize each others churches in their integrity and take bold steps to understand each other and respect each others experience.
We decided, in expression of our common allegiance to Christ, to visit each in our countries to promote friendship and understanding between our peoples.
We commit ourselves to enter theological dialogue between our churches to promote mutual cooperation in the Mission of God.
Archbishop Malkhaz Songulashvili
Evangelical Baptist Church of Georgia
The Revd President Yuri Sipko
Union of Evangelical Christians-Baptists of Russia
The Revd Gregory Komendant
European Baptist Federation
Kiev, October 30, 2008
Note: Only this English version is authorised. An authorised Russian version should be published no later than 5 November.
William Yoder, Ph.D.
Department for External Church Relations, RUECB
Photo: The Beteli Centre in Tblissi - a Baptist centre for social charity
