Our civilization is inexorably approaching the end of the second millennium. All states intend to mark this milestone in one way or another. And Russia is no exception. Especially for readers of Orientir - a story about what the Russian Organizing Committee is doing to prepare for the meeting of the third millennium and the celebration of the 2000th anniversary of Christianity.

- The advent of the third millennium is really impossible to cancel, postpone, postpone, as, for example, elections. This will happen regardless of anyone's will on January 1, 2001. And for the rest of the time, humanity will be preparing for this date. Russia will not stand aside either. The initiative to prepare for the meeting of the third millennium and the celebration of the 2000th anniversary of Christianity was taken by Russian President Boris Yeltsin, who on February 6, 1998 issued a decree on the creation of an appropriate organizing committee. Due to the tumultuous political events of the past year, the state committee actually started working only on December 4. Its honorary chairman is the Head of the Russian state, and its co - chairs are the Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia and the Prime Minister. A working group headed by the First Deputy head of the Kremlin Administration has been set up to create a decision-making mechanism.

Not much was done in the first few months. If it were not for the achievements of the non-governmental public committee for the third Millennium meeting, better known as the "Committee-2000", the work of the state committee would have to start from scratch. Working together, both of them have accumulated all the initiatives put forward and continue to consider incoming projects.

What exactly was done during this period? We have collected all the information about how Russian regions are going to celebrate a significant historical date. Our database contains about 200 projects submitted by the constituent entities of the Russian Federation. The authors of almost a hundred more projects are various public organizations, foundations, and private companies. The most interesting initiatives will certainly be included in the federal action plan, which will become the main coordinating and regulatory document. In turn, the inclusion of a proposal in the federal plan means political support for the initiative on the part of the state and, in general, assigning it the status of a presidential candidate. During the all-Russian design competition, the logo of the organizing committee was also developed and adopted, which is three hourglasses symbolizing the continuous flow of time. The main meeting place of the turn of epochs has also been previously determined: in our country, it is most likely to be the All-Russian Exhibition Center. The choice is explained by the fact that the All-Russian Exhibition Center has not only a sufficient area, but also an extensive communication network and a large capacity. It will house a history park, a visionarium and much more, which will create a kind of melenium city, that is, a micro-city of the future.

- What projects are already being implemented?

- The Moscow - Israel tourist program has been launched. In accordance with the agreement with TransAero ell since January 1999, charter flights are operated twice a week, which allow Russian residents to reach the Holy Land.

The idea of a series of TV shows about how to prepare for the third millennium meeting not only in Russia, but also in other countries has come to life. An agreement was reached with the national committees of several dozen countries of the world on the exchange of such video information. And there will be a lot to tell. Suffice it to say that in France, the celebrations will be held at the famous Eiffel Tower, and in the UK, a grandiose dome is being built, claiming to be the "eighth wonder of the world".

- They say that there are no less fantastic projects in the portfolio of the competition committee.

- We haven't finished accepting applications and proposals yet, so it's too early to reveal the essence of some of them. The nationwide competition announced in early February, which was jointly initiated by both the state and public committees, continues. But I can say that all the proposed projects will pass a tough examination by the competition committee, which will determine their significance and compliance with financial and economic opportunities. Both the representativeness of the initiative group and the time frame for project implementation will be taken into account. Naturally, due to objective circumstances, preference will be given to those initiatives that will not need public funding, since the third Millennium summit is not written in a separate line in the country's budget (I hope this line will appear in the main financial document of 2000). Priority will be given to applications that are supported by regions, ministries and departments.

"Space fireworks, then, aren't worth waiting for?"

- I think that even without this, the program will be grandiose and spectacular, and will be remembered for a long time.

- What events will be held in the near future with the participation of the All-Russian Organizing Committee?

- It is planned to hold an international congress of national committees for the third millennium summit. In addition, we are planning to organize a large forum of representatives of the Russian intelligentsia, business circles, and the scientific community, where we will try to sum up the results of the outgoing millennium. Under the auspices of the state committee, a national lottery is organized, the proceeds from which will become the main source of funding for all other projects. Anyone can get more detailed information by visiting our web page.

- Non-confessional, the entire population of our country will celebrate the new millennium. But given that Russia is mostly Orthodox, it will also celebrate the 2000th anniversary of Christianity. How will the Russian Orthodox Church participate in upcoming events?

- Orthodox Christians will celebrate the main feast of the Nativity of Christ on January 7, 2000. So the role of the Russian Orthodox Church in the preparation of celebrations in connection with this date is one of the most important. The Patriarchate also has its own program, which is coordinated by the so-called Jubilee Commission. But this does not mean that the Orthodox clergy does not participate in the work of the All-Russian Committee for the preparation of the third Millennium. On the contrary, representatives of the Russian Orthodox Church are actively working in the organizing committee, and their proposals will definitely be included in the federal action plan.

I would like to note, however, that our committee also includes representatives of other religions. We must not forget that Russia is a country where Muslims, Catholics, Protestants, and Buddhists live, and in this regard we are planning to hold a forum on interfaith dialogue. The need for it is obvious: the future millennium must be met in peace and harmony, without religious, national or any other contradictions.

- The meeting of the new millennium is not only a world carnival, but, probably, a milestone when humanity should sum up some results and think about the future.

- It would be wrong to present the meeting of the third millennium only as a holiday with obligatory folk festivals, performances of show stars and so on. Summing up the results of two millennia, we will inevitably think about where we are now and what lies ahead. For Russia, this is also important in the sense that the country is moving into the second millennium of its statehood. Our rich history probably needs a new understanding of its place and role in the future of the planet. I am sure that this is a powerful intellectual challenge not only for philosophers and political scientists, but also for all those who are called by the proud name of Rossiyanin.

- Under what slogan, in your opinion, will all the solemn events be held?

- In Russia, the main thing will be the call for unity, both in political and philosophical terms. Sovereignty, spirituality, and patriotism are what we need to enter the third millennium with. And if we recall the teaching of Christ, who said that "there is neither Greek nor Jew", then we can add to this the concept of conciliarity. In fact, this is an intellectual solution to the main task-to unite all of humanity, which will have to live on one planet for more than one millennium.