On Wednesday 31 May 2023, the anniversary of the end of this first large-scale war of the 20th century, commemorative events were held in the chapel in the name of the Holy Equal-to-the-Apostles Great Prince Vladimir, erected on the grounds of the Church of St. Sergius of Radonezh in memory of the Russians who died in this armed conflict.
The event was initiated by Freddy Peters, Chairman of the Afrikaans Cultural Council for the Klipriver area. On this day, Afrikaners who still remember the support of Russian volunteers, doctors and sisters of mercy during the difficult years of war, expressed their wish to honour their memory by laying wreaths in a Russian church.
Archpriest Daniel Lugovoi, rector of the parish of St Sergius of Radonezh, celebrated a requiem liturgy for the dead and proclaimed "Eternal Memory" to all Orthodox soldiers who laid down their lives in South Africa.
Then parishioners and guests of the parish laid flowers at the memorial plaque with the names of the fallen Russian volunteers.
The fellowship continued in the parish centre, where refreshments were served and an exposition dedicated to the holy places and nature of Russia was opened. A separate stand displayed the parish's participation in events related to preserving the memory of Russia's participation in the historical events of South Africa.
Vladimir Olegovich Yakovlev, Minister Counsellor of the Embassy of the Russian Federation, took part in the event.