Orthodox Christians honor the great martyr George the Victorious on the 6th of May. His image – riding a horse and holding a spear – protects the army, whose patron is considered to be this saint, who defeated the dragon – the embodiment of evil. The defender's feat is not only and not so much physical as spiritual, say the clergy. It is no coincidence that the chapel constructed on the Tiraspol Memorial of Glory is named after George the Victorious. A large memorial service for those killed in wartime was held near its walls today. The clergy of the Tiraspol-Dubossary Diocese initiated the funeral litiya on the eve of the Great Victory Day and on the day of remembrance of George the Victorious. The event was attended by clergy and parishioners from all over the republic, as well as guests of Pridnestrovie. The service was conducted by Archbishop Sawa. Prayers for the departed were offered in the open air for two hours. A special atmosphere was created by the Pridnestrovian State Choir under the direction of the People's Artist of the PMR Tatyana Tverdokhleb with the participation of the choirmaster of the Cathedral of the Nativity of Christ, Protodeacon Vyacheslav Lukanovsky. They performed "Christ is risen", "Our Father", "Ave Maria", "Let God rise again", "Virgin Mary, rejoice" and others.
Such an event is being held at this site for the first time. The top officials of the state, headed by the PMR President Vadim Krasnoselsky, took part in the Divine Liturgy. Russian Ambassador Oleg Ozerov joined the general prayer. A flower-laying ceremony took place at the end of the liturgy and the litiya. The head of state, on behalf of the Pridnestrovian people and all grateful descendants, laid a wreath at the Eternal Flame, a basket at the monument to the Unknown Soldier and a scattering of carnations at the memorial plaques.
The memorial event ended with the communion of parishioners and refreshments for participants and all comers, as is customary on Easter days and according to the military tradition of holding front-line dugouts.
