An event marking the 10th anniversary of one of the worst tragedies of the past decade was held in Moscow on October 26th. Those who were taken hostage 10 years ago gathered in front of the Dubrovka complex, while those who either lost loved ones, or are still trying to survive, struggle to return to normal life.

Numerous journalists, protecting their cameras from the rain and snow, shot footage of those who gathered — a few hundred people from Moscow’s teeming millions.

We did not see any of the nation’s leadership there, even though the site was but a few metro stations from the Kremlin.

What is happening to our society? Ten years ago all Moscow trembled from this heinous attack, but on this day the capital city’s inhabitants did not consider it necessary to come and support the victims of this terrorist attack.

All Moscow lives “on the run” — but is it living? It is as if it just gets along, never noticing their neighbor’s pain. Just like during those cold October days back in 2002, on this day the hostages were once again left in the lurch. Their only comfort is that the European Court has found that the Russian authorities violated the hostages’ right to life in using gas — most fatalities were from this. The authorities did not even instruct the physicians on how to reverse the state of unconsciousness the hostages were in due to action of the gas, but those who conducted this so-called “brilliant hostage rescue operation” received awards from the state.

We would like to live in a prosperous and powerful nation, yet we fall silent when observing injustice, and do not want the bother of helping our neighbor.

Charity and an understanding of the need to help others have long been traditions in Russia. Recall the famous Russian patrons — Mamontov, Morozov, Tretyakov and many others. They donated to charitable causes, built hospitals, theaters, museums, art galleries, and more. The real philanthropist (from the standpoint of patriotic tradition), the true benefactor needed no publicity in exchange for their outlays. It is of note that Savva Timofeyevich Morozov promised full support to the founders of the Moscow Art Theatre, provided that his name was never mentioned in the newspapers.

But what has happened to our society? Charity is no longer honored!

A forgotten Biblical commandment – “Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.” (2 Corinthians 9:7).

Community organizations that voluntarily shoulder problems that the state does not want touch, when they seek assistance from large companies they either receive no response, or get the runaround.

Where are they hiding the cure for indifference, in which hypodermic, in which medical bag?

The great Russian writer L. N. Tolstoy once said: “We love people for the good they do, and hate them for the harm they cause.”

Website of the ‘Volga-Don’ regional public organization

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