M o s c o w – The Christians of Moscow, Russia’s capital, have responded with worship services and prayer for the victims of the terrorist attack at Moscow Domodedovo airport. Thirty five persons were killed by a suicide attack on 24 January; over 130 were injured. A terrorist in the Arrivals hall near an Asia Restaurant had detonated a bomb. Domodedovo is Moscow’s largest and most modern airport. Three days after the attack police released an initial search warrant. The suspect is reportedly a Russian who had worked for the Islamist underground in the Caucasus region.

Evgeny Bakhmutsky (Moscow), Senior Vice-President of the Russian Union of Evangelical Christians-Baptists, expressed his deepest regrets to the families of the victims. In a press release he condemned the attack as “the pinnacle of cowardice and evil”. The attack proves that the human heart is basically still evil. “One person kills at an airport, a second has an abortion, a third finishes off competitors with dirty tricks and ruins their lives, another betrays a friend.” Repentance is therefore necessary, Bakhmutsky continued. “God is still waiting for us to repent.”

Pastor Vitaly Vlasenko (Moscow), Director of External Relations for the Russian Baptist Union, wrote in a similar vein for the ‘A Word for You’ Internet service. Christians of all confessions condemn every form of terrorism. All beseech God that he might protect the land from such horrible occurrences. Vlasenko cited Romans 12:15: “Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn.” “Today we weep for the victims, express our empathy to their families and pray for the wounded.” Vlasenko also called on those who hoped to “cash in” on the tragedy: “Reconsider once more - demonstrate charity and compassion. Profit made from tragedy will bring you no happiness.” Media reported that immediately after the bombing, taxi drivers were charging ten times the going rate for a ride from the airport to centre city.

A condolence letter from the European Baptist Federation in Prague (EBF) addressed to the Russian Union assured that Baptists throughout Europe were praying for Russia. “Together with you we pray for the families who have lost their dear ones in this act of violence against your people, that they will know the presence of the Lord and his healing power in their lives.” European Baptists are also praying for reconciliation and peace between different groups of people, that they will learn the ways of God; and for our Baptist brothers and sisters in Russia, that they will be the messengers of God and share his love in this difficult and painful situation, wrote the Estonian Helle Liht, Assistant to the EBF General Secretary Tony Peck (both Prague).