Patriarch Kirill spoke about the situation with the transfer of the Russian Orthodox Church of St. Isaac’s Cathedral
MOSCOW, February 17 — RIA Novosti. The return of the Russian Orthodox Church (ROC) the right to keep their shrines is not a threat, said Friday the Patriarch of Moscow and all Russia Kirill at the session of the Supreme Church Council of the Russian Orthodox Church at the Cathedral of Christ the Saviour, speaking about the situation with St. Isaac’s Cathedral.
Earlier, the authorities of St. Petersburg decided to transfer to St. Isaac’s Cathedral for 49 years, the Russian Orthodox Church in the free use with preserving the Museum and educational functions. Remains and legal status of the object — its owner is the city. The public is concerned about the fate of Isaac, despite the statement of representatives of the Russian Orthodox Church, the Museum functions will be expanded, and the entrance to the Cathedral will be free.
“Irrefutable historical fact is that religious people largely created the cultural heritage of our country, thousands of works of art, churches, monasteries. The return of the right to self-store their shrines cannot bear any threats, but only to breathe authentic life into monuments that will further make them a means of national education. This will be a continuation of the work of many worthy of Museum workers, with the personal participation of many of them,” — said the Patriarch.