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Russian Duma Adopts New Christian National Holiday; Other Groups Want Similar Treatment

By Howard M. Friedman

According to Eurasia Review, on Wednesday the Russian Duma gave final approval to a law that recognizes the Day of the Baptism of Rus (July 28) as a public holiday. The new law amends Art. 1.1 of the law "On Days of Glory and Anniversaries of Russia" and adds the new holiday to eight others. (Russian News Line, 3/19). The new holiday commemorates the actions of Vladimir the Great who, in the 980's converted to Christianity and proceeded to baptise the people in Kiev and then other cities. (Background from Wikipedia.) Now that the new national holiday has been adopted, leaders of the Muslim and Buddhist communities say that the Duma should also adopt national holidays to recognize their faiths.

Full post as published by Religion Clause on May 29, 2010 (boomark / email).