Patriarch Alexy blesses St. Nicholas the Wonder-worker monument at Defense Ministry Central Research Institute

On December 13, His Holiness Patriarch Alexy II of Moscow and All Russia visited the Defense Ministry Central Research Institute located in the territory, which used to belong until the 20^th century 30s to the Gesthemane Hermitage of St. Sergius’s Monastery of the Holy Trinity, to bless the monument to St. Nicholas the Wonder-worker and the foundation stone of a future church.

Among those present at the ceremony were Lieut. Gen. V. Verkhovtsev, chief of the Defense Ministry 12^th Directorate, Archbishop Yevgeny of Vereya, rector of Moscow theological schools, Bishop Feognost of Sergiev Posad, father superior of St. Sergius’ Monastery of the Holy Trinity, Rear-Admiral S. Pertsev, director of the research institute, as well as Sergiev Posad municipal officials.

The primate of the Russian Orthodox Church thanked the sculptors and the 12^th Defense Ministry Directorate leaders for their efforts in reviving the spiritual traditions of Russian society.

During the blessing of the foundation stone of the church to be built and dedicated to St. Nicholas, a deed signed by Patriarch Alexy, Bishop Feognost, Lieut. Gen. Verkhovtsev and Rear-Admiral Pertsev was laid in its foundation.

DECR Communication Service