ROC Seek Return of St. Isaac's Cathedral in St. Petersburg

Pravoslavie RU ^ | July 26, 2015 | Paul Gilbert

[Navy Patriot]

The Russian Orthodox Church (ROC) have confirmed that they have filed a petition to local politicians in St Petersburg to discuss the return of St. Isaac's Cathedral, which is currently an historical monument and a museum. Russian media sources report that the news of the proposal has generated heated discussion in Russian society.

Maxim Reznik, the deputy of the St. Petersburg legislative, and who also chairs the legislature’s commission for culture, confirmed on Thursday that he had received information on a petition filed by Metropolitan Barsanuphius, the ruling hierarch of the diocese for the return of the city’s landmark cathedral.

The State Historical Museum is not opposed to the transfer so long as the ROC will not prevent tourists from accessing the cathedral. A representative from the museum cited the example of St Basil's Cathedral, which has long been operated jointly by the organisation he represents and the ROC without causing any hindrance to the thousands of tourists who visit every year. The cathedral is open to visitors throughout the week, the price of admission is currently 250 rubles or the Sunday service with free admission.

[Navy Patriot]

The Church seeks the return of the Cathedral to it's original dedication.

[MeganC]

Given that Putin is using the ROC for propaganda purposes I imagine the petition will be granted and the church restored to being a church again.

[MSF BU]

Sunday services? I’d assume any cathedral that size would have services daily.

[Navy Patriot]

Given that Putin is using the ROC for propaganda purposes I imagine the petition will be granted and the church restored to being a church again.

"St. Isaac’s is the largest Russian Orthodox cathedral in St. Petersburg. It is the largest orthodox basilica and the fourth largest cathedral in the world. It is dedicated to Saint Isaac of Dalmatia, a patron saint of Peter the Great, who had been born on the feast day of that saint."

Yep, it's just a church after all, it means nothing.

[Navy Patriot]

Sunday services? I’d assume any cathedral that size would have services daily.

Yep. since 1990.

I suspect this was a compromise of transition.

The Cathedral and the ROC both have so much to offer in faith, culture and history, that both expanded services and tourism will be offered, while the Cathedral will become, once again, a Russian Orthodox Cathedral.