Ksenia Chernega
The Russian Orthodox Church is considering the transfer to it of objects of the Moscow Andronikov monastery. About the Agency RIA Novosti on Thursday, February 16, informed the head of the legal service of the Moscow Patriarchate abbess Xenia (Chernega).
According to her, the monastery complex shall be transferred to the ROC in the framework of the Federal law №327 — it provides for the transfer to religious organizations property of religious significance owned by the state or municipal ownership. However, she stressed that “the issue is considered for the future.”
To start the transfer process it is necessary to collect the documents. This can only happen with the approval of the Patriarch of Moscow and all Russia, said the abbess. “In fact, his approval depends on the direction of the application. According to my information, a statement not yet filed,” concluded Chernega.
Spaso-Andronikov monastery was founded in 1357 as one of the disciples of St. Sergius of Radonezh, venerable Andronicus. In 1918 it was closed. The complex of buildings in Soviet times housed a prison, a hostel, public institutions, and then opened the Museum of Andrei Rublev, who worked and was probably buried on the territory of the monastery. Since 1989, the monastery was resumed.
On 10 January the government of St. Petersburg has agreed to transfer to St. Isaac’s Cathedral to the gratuitous use of the Russian Orthodox Church for 49 years. Despite their promises to keep the Museum function of the building, the transfer of Isaac have caused parts of the city public protest. In the Northern capital rallies both for and against this decision.