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On March 19, 2016, a solemn ceremony took place in the French capital on the occasion of the blessing and installation of the main cupola and a cross on top of the new cathedral church of the diocese of Chersonese, on the Branley embankment.

The event was attended by Russian and French officials, diplomats, city officials and builders, as well as Orthodox bishops and clergy, representatives of the Russian community in France, French and Russian journalists and the Orthodox faithful in Paris.

The ceremony began with the installation of the central cupola made by the Bretonian Multiplast and gilded by Paris-based Gohard workshop. The cupola, which is 12 m high and weighs 8 tons, was erected before the guests’ eyes on the central neve of the church under construction.

Speeches were made by Russian and French official as well as those responsible for the design and realization of the architectural project. Mr. S. Prikhodko, speaking on behalf of the Russian Government, said that now the construction of the Russian religious and cultural center entered in the final stage. ‘Today, representatives of Bouygues have informed us that they will have the works completed in August, which is before the planned date’, he said, ‘In autumn the center and the church will be already open for visitors and parishioners’.

Bishop Nestor of Chersonese, in the presence of Archbishop Michael of Geneva of Western Europe and Bishop Mark of Nyamets, blessed the five copula crosses, and Bishop Nestor sprinkled them with holy water.

After the rite of blessing, Bishop Nestor addressed the gathering. He expressed the conviction that this day will go down the history of Orthodox presence in France and become a visible symbol of the strengthening of friendly relations between the Russian and French peoples.

A large-format screen was install at the viewers planform to broadcast the event online, the website of the diocese of Chersonese reports.

DECR Communication Service