Opinions from Outsiders

Vladikavkaz City Authorities Commend Jehovah's Witnesses

North Ossetia-Alania

On December 27, 2016, the local organization of Jehovah's Witnesses was solemnly awarded a commendation "for active citizenship and great contribution to the social life of the city." For many years, believers have been enthusiastically involved in maintaining cleanliness and comfort in their native Vladikavkaz.

Hundreds of Jehovah's Witnesses have repeatedly responded to the call for help in improving the recreation areas of citizens, for example, in the vicinity of the Vladikavkaz arboretum and the Sapitskaya Budka forest park. More than 2,300 followers of the religion of Jehovah's Witnesses live in the city, and over the years they have repeatedly received thanks from the head of the city and the heads of prefectures "for their active life position", "for active participation in public life", "for assistance in cleaning and restoring order", for participating in the "Plant Your Tree" campaign and other events.

Interestingly, earlier in 2010, Jehovah's Witnesses contributed a slightly different kind of contribution to the national culture. They published and distributed the first complete Bible in the Ossetian language in the republic. Given that UNESCO had listed the Ossetian language as endangered the year before, the publication of the Bible undoubtedly helps future generations to continue to speak their native language.