“The Russian Orthodox Church does not claim all the lands she owned before 1917”, His Holiness Patriarch Alexy says

“THE RUSSIAN ORTHODOX CHURCH DOES NOT CLAIM ALL THE LANDS SHE OWNED BEFORE 1917”, HIS HOLINESS PATRIARCH ALEXY SAYS

Answering journalists’ questions during his visit to the Diocese of Tambov, His Holiness Patriarch Alexy II of Moscow and All Russia touched on the pressing subject of a possible return of the lands the Russian Orthodox Church owned before 1917.

His Holiness the Patriarch stressed that in the present situation the question of returning all church and monastery lands could not be posed, because in many cases during past decades those territories became part of cities with houses and enterprises built on them.

Nevertheless, the question of the legal property status of the lands, on which monasteries and churches stay, as well as the question of cultivated monastery lands need a just settlement, His Holiness said. Till now, the Church has used these plots free and without time limit, but the recently adopted Land Code does not contain such a provision: a plot can be only owned or rented.

See also:

His Holiness Patriarch Alexy II of Moscow and All Russia

Visit of His Holiness Alexy II, Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia to the Diocese of Tambov