His Holiness Patriarch Alexy meets with G. Poltqavchenko, Presidential Envoy for Central Russia

The primate of the Russian Orthodox Church met with G. Poltavchenko, Presidential Envoy for Central Russia, on March 22, 2006, at the patriarchal residence.

They discussed the restoration and reconstruction of Orthodox churches. G. Poltavhceko told His Holiness in particular about the restoration work carried out at the Cathedral of the Holy Trinity in St. Petersburg and the restoration of the Martial Glory monument.

The Cathedral of the Life-Giving Trinity, which belonged to the Izmailovsky Life Guards, is one of the most magnificent churches in St. Petersburg. It was built to commemorate the victory in the 1877-1878 Russian-Turkish war. The Martial Glory monument was erected next to the cathedral. Made up of 128 captured Turkish field guns, the monument was blessed on October 25, 1886. In 1929, it was dismantled by a decision of the Leningrad Executive Committee.

G. Poltavchenko informed the patriarch that the work to restore the monument was begun in 2001. It was financed by over 20 Russian enterprises and organizations. The monument was opened in a solemn ceremony on October 1, 2005. The copies of Turkish cannons making up the historical column were cast by the Novolipetsk Metallurgical Plant and were given to St. Petersburg as a present on the occasion of the 300^th anniversary of the city.

His Holiness Patriarch Alexy expressed gratitude to all the participants in the project for restoration of the Martial Glory monument and stressed that this event would help preserve the historical memory of the people.