IN NIZHNY NOVGOROD EMPLOYEES OF THE ASSOCIATION “BERKUT” RECEIVED OFFICIAL THANKS FROM METROPOLITAN OF NIZHNY NOVGOROD AND ARZAMAS

Father Sergiy Moroz - Senior Priest of the Nizhny Novgorod Cathedral in honor of Saint blessed Grand Prince Alexander Nevsky on behalf of and at the personal request of Metropolitan of Nizhny Novgorod and Arzamas Georgy expressed his sincere gratitude to the staff of the Association of guard and legal companies “Berkut” for providing the bulk of the Orthodox celebrations.

On the night of 7 January at the Nizhny Novgorod Cathedral in honor of Saint blessed Grand Prince Alexander Nevsky, Metropolitan of Nizhny Novgorod and Arzamas Georgy celebrated the festive Christmas service – Matins and Divine Liturgy.

On the night of 19 January, on the twelve great feast of the Baptism of our Lord (Theophany), at the Nizhny Novgorod Cathedral in honor of Saint blessed Grand Prince Alexander Nevsky there was made a festive Divine Liturgy. The service was led by Metropolitan of Nizhny Novgorod and Arzamas Georgy.

Governor of Nizhny Novgorod region Valery Shantsev, Minister of education of the region Sergey Naumov, Head of the administration of Kanavinsky district of Nizhny Novgorod Mikhail Sharov and numerous parishioners were praying at the Church.

More than 3000 believers took part in the Orthodox ceremonies.

To ensure safety of the faithful during the festive Christmas service, the Divine Liturgy and other events, which were held at the Cathedral, the leadership of the Nizhny Novgorod Metropolia of the Russian Orthodox Church appealed to the leadership of the Association of guard and legal companies “Berkut”.

This appeal of the leadership of the Nizhny Novgorod Metropolia to the collective of the Association “Berkut” about the involvement of its personnel to ensure security during such a big event was a logical continuation of the long-standing traditional partnership.

Confident and professional actions of employees of the Association “Berkut” are systematically encouraged by the leadership of Nizhny Novgorod churches. 

In 2012, the Church Abbot of Alexander Nevsky, Archpriest Sergiy, in honor of the 20^th anniversary of the private security and as a token of appreciation of the Nizhny Novgorod guards for the exemplary performance of their duties, the image of St. Seraphim of Sarov was donated to the Museum of private security, established in the Association “Berkut”.

For ensuring security during major Orthodox celebrations in 2013 – 2015, Metropolitan of Nizhny Novgorod and Arzamas Georgy has repeatedly expressed to the staff of the Association “Berkut” his sincere gratitude for the professionalism and reliability in operation.

On October 3^rd, 2013, rural Dean of Kanavinsky district Archpriest Sergiy sent a Commendation for the exemplary security during the Divine Liturgy performed by Metropolitan of Nizhny Novgorod and Arzamas Georgy to the General Director of the Association “Berkut” P. V. Kovalev, and also donated the image of Saint blessed Grand Prince Alexander Nevsky to the staff of the Association.

The leadership of the Nizhny Novgorod Metropolia of the Russian Orthodox Church during the January of 2016 Orthodox celebrations has been once again convinced of the correctness of their choice – the actions of private security guards of the Association “Berkut” on ensuring security of believers and the Church have been distinguished by reliability, clarity, confidence and professionalism. In addition, taking into account the specific of tactics for the protection measures of such complexity, the actions of the security personnel, who was on the territory of the Church, provided with the rapid response team and reserve, equipped with modern means of transport, means of communication and equipment.

In the opinion of the leadership of the Nizhny Novgorod Metropolia of the Russian Orthodox Church, the Divine Liturgy and other events at the Cathedral were held in a calm atmosphere. This means that the Security Department of the Association “Berkut” has managed to create an environment, where criminal elements, whose attention is always attracted by such a mass event, even had no thoughts to disrupt the safety of parishioners and the integrity of Orthodox shrines. That’s why the words “were held in a calm atmosphere” are the highest evaluation of the professionalism of the private security and the level of its organization.

To ensure reliable operation of employees at the event of the ROC of such level, the Security Department of the Association “Berkut” carried out a detailed analysis of various options for the possible development of the situation at the venue of celebrations, clearly defined zones of security and control, and also practiced actions of protection in the course of the event, depending on the situation.

Special attention is paid to organization of interaction with the staff of the Church and the leadership of the ROC in the place of mass stay of parishioners, as well as with the Ministry of Internal Affairs and with the personal guard of Governor of Nizhny Novgorod region V. P. Shantsev and other VIP-persons attending the event.

To perform such a difficult, but honorable task, the best officers of the Association are sent, who consider their participation in ensuring the safety of Orthodox shrines and churches as the high honor and trust of the parishioners and all residents of Nizhny Novgorod to the private security community.

It is important to note that the security of the church and its parishioners during the mass religious activities is carried out by the Association “Berkut” free of charge.