New Cathedral will be constructed at site of discovery of Kazan Icon of the Mother of God

New Cathedral will be constructed at site of discovery of Kazan Icon of the Mother of God

Prior to the ceremony His Holiness Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia Kirill held a solemn Divine Liturgy in the Annunciation Cathedral of the Kazan Kremlin. It was timed to the Orthodox holiday – Day of the discovery of the Kazan Icon of the Mother of God.

Chairman of the State Duma of the Russian Federation Sergei Naryshkin said that today was a truly historical event, important both for the residents of Tatarstan and for the Orthodox Christians around the world.

Plenipotentiary of Russian President in Volga Federal District Mikhail Babich reminded that the Icon kept inspiring and helping its compatriots for four hundred years already. He went on saying that Tatarstan is a model of tolerant, respectful attitude to people of different nationalities, different faiths, and love for the Fatherland.

Tatarstan President Rustam Minnikhanov congratulated all Orthodox believers on the day appearance of the Kazan Icon of the Mother of God. “Thousands of people have come here, to the place of the majestic temple, which has been destroyed 74 years ago. There are pilgrims from all over Russia, representatives of the clergy, the authorities and the public.

Rustam Minnikhanov addressed special words of gratitude to Patriarch Kirill, Sergei Naryshkin, Mikhail Babich and the State Councilor of the Republic of Tatarstan, head of the Republican Fund “Revival” Mintimer Shaimiev.

Mintimer Shaimiev called today's event a milestone in the life of Russian society. The restoration of the Annunciation Cathedral (which was timed to the 1000th anniversary of Kazan in 2005) and signing of the decree on the reconstruction of the Our Lady of Kazan Cathedral at its historic site, and on construction of the country’s only Muslim Bulgarian Academy on November 4, 2015 testifies that people of different nationalities live in harmony in our multinational land.