Russian President Valdimir Putin visits Ipatyev’s Monastery

Russian President Vladimir Putin visited Ipatyev’s Monastery for the first time in his capacity of head of state, on March 23, 2005. He was welcomed by Archbishop Alexander of Kostroma and Galich.

His Eminence Alexander explained to the Russian President the history of the monastery, which became famous because young Mikhail Romanov was called to rule over Russia in the monastery’s Cathedral of the Trinity in 1613, the year marking the end of the Time of Trouble in Russia.

President Putin saw the museum exposition at the Romanov Chambers and signed the book for honorary visitors. ‘Ipatyev’s Monastery’, he wrote, ‘occupies a special place in the history of Russia and Orthodoxy. Its revival will contribute to the revival of Russia’.

President Putin presented the monastery with an Icon of St. Seraphim of Sarov.

Besides, at the suggestion of Archbishop Alexander, the Head of State and his party went beyond the program to visit the Monastery of the Epiphany where the Fyodorovskaya Icon of the Mother of God is kept. It is the icon with which Mikhail Romanov was blessed for reign.

After that the Russian President came to the building of the former Nobility Assembly, which is now a branch of the Kostroma State Museum of Fine Arts, to chair a joint meeting of the State Council Presidium and the Presidium of the Presidential Council for Culture and Art.

From ITAR-TASS