Restoration of Church of St. Seraphim of Sarov in Nizhny Novgorod Region

The Church of St. Seraphim of Sarov is being successfully restored in the town of Sarov (the Nizhny Novgorod region).

The church walls have been plastered two weeks before the target date and are being marked for painting, Olga Zilinskaya, a spokesperson for the regional government, said on Friday. A group of painters from the Obraz icon-painting studio (the Moscow region), headed by famous master Yaroslav Ryllo, will be involved in the works.

The restoration of St. Seraphim's cell has begun, as well. The Church of St. Seraphim of Sarov was built above this cell in 1903.

Bishop of Nizhny Novgorod and Arzamas Georgy and Nizhny Novgorod Construction Minister Valery Limarenko believe that all preparations for the celebration of the 100th anniversary of St. Seraphim's canonisation will be accomplished in time.

Zilinskaya also reported on the beginning of the restoration of the Holy Virgin's ditch in the Holy Trinity Seraphimo-Diveyevo convent, which is to host summer celebrations together with Sarov.

The celebrations in honour of the great ascetic of the Russian Orthodox Church will take place in late July - early August 2003.

Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia Alexis II is expected to consecrate the restored Cathedral of St. Seraphim of Sarov on July 30.