Slovenia marks 110th anniversary of Russian Chapel, a symbol of peace

Slovenia recently marked the 110th anniversary of the Russian Chapel, a poignant memorial located beneath the Vršič Pass. The chapel stands as a tribute to Russian prisoners of war who died during the construction of the road over the pass in the First World War. The commemoration also coincided with the 30th anniversary of the founding of the Slovenia-Russia Society, which organized the event.

More than 420 people attended the ceremony, including members and friends of the society. Saša Ivan Geržina, the long-time president of the society, emphasized the chapel's significance, stating it is not merely a monument to the past but a universal symbol of humanity, compassion, and responsibility for peace. The remembrance included the laying of a wreath, a minute of silence, and a prayer, following a traditional Catholic memorial mass held the previous day.

In their announcement for the ceremony, the society expressed a desire to dispel the "numbness and sense of powerlessness" with which people observe events that move humanity away from principles of tolerance and cooperation. They highlighted that lasting peace is built not only at negotiation tables but through daily acts of respect, compassion, and collaboration among people.

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The Russian Chapel is not just a monument to the past, but a universal symbol of humanity, compassion, and responsibility for peace.

The Russian Chapel was originally built in 1916 by Russian prisoners of war to commemorate their comrades who were killed by an avalanche in March of that year. The wooden chapel, built in the Orthodox style, was erected in memory of around 300 prisoners who died. After road reconstruction in 1937, the remains of many deceased Russian prisoners were found and reburied in an ossuary next to the chapel, topped by a pyramid inscribed "To the Sons of Russia." The original wooden chapel deteriorated over time and underwent conservation and renovation in 1991, with a full restoration completed in 2006.

The society stressed that the chapel represents a valuable example of remembrance culture, born not from state decisions but from a genuine human need to preserve memory and show respect for the deceased. The ceremony served as a call to critically examine contemporary conflicts, serving as a "reminder that every single person suffering from wars today is one too many."

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The memorial ceremony at the Russian Chapel is not just an act of honoring the deceased, but also a call for a critical review of contemporary conflicts. It is a 'reminder that every single person who suffers from wars today is one too many.'