The Chairman of the State Duma Committee on culture Stanislav Govorukhin said that the St. Petersburg St. Isaac’s Cathedral should be in Federal ownership. He stated this at a workshop on the situation with the transfer of the Museum to the Russian Orthodox Church (ROC), according to a press release received by “the Ribbon.ru”.
“In my view, such monuments as St. Isaac’s Cathedral is the national pride, should be the property of the Federation and not of the region” — said Govorukhin. According to the Deputy, it is necessary to ensure the preservation of the Cathedral, as well as the transparency of the transfer.
“The Museum needs to work at the Church, and not worship should be conducted at the Museum” — said Govorukhin. He added that the transfer process is not running, but technically it will take six years.
At present the Cathedral belongs to the city authorities. Until 2012 he was in Federal ownership.
January 10 the St. Petersburg authorities have agreed to transfer to St. Isaac’s Cathedral to the gratuitous use of the Russian Orthodox Church for 49 years. This caused discontent on the part of local residents, despite promises to keep the Museum function of the building.
The city held rallies of both supporters and opponents of this decision. On 12 February, the Cathedral held a procession with singing prayer by St. Isaac of Dalmatia, a disgruntled transfer arose around the Cathedral, wearing blue ribbons.