Abakan, August 18, 2010
The Archpastors and Abakinsk and Krasnoyarsk clergy served Divine Liturgy at the Sayanno-Shushenskaya hydro-electric station chapel, which is dedicated to the icon of the Mother of God, the "Life-Giving Spring."
The governor of the Republic of Khakasia, V. M. Zimin, government officials from the Republic and Krasnoyarsk region, workers from the Emergencies Ministry of the Russian Federation who participated in the rescue and clean-up, family members of the victims, station and "RusHydro" workers, and many clergymen and parishioners from the diocesan parishes attended the Liturgy.
Mr. Zimin and Archbishop Rostislav spoke to those attending before the Liturgy, saying that the tragedy of last year wounded the hearts of everyone in Russia.
The services began with the consecration of the newly-built chapel of the Life-Giving Spring situated near the main dam. Then the Liturgy was served outdoors. Seventy-five burning lampadas were placed on the steps of the chapel in remembrance of those who perished.
On the same day, the Archpastors consecrated the church/chapel dedicated to the Seven Sleepers of Ephesus. This church was built near the Mayn dam at the site where most of those who died in the accident are buried. Another litya for the reposed was served in front of the church after the consecration.
The accident at the Sayano–Shushenskaya hydroelectric power station accident occurred at 8:13 a.m. local time on August 17, 2009, when one of its turbines broke apart violently. The turbine hall and engine room were flooded, the ceiling of the turbine hall collapsed, nine of ten turbines were damaged or destroyed, and seventy-five people were killed.
