Restoration begins of Chechnya’s only Russian Orthodox church
07.12.2004, 10.12
GROZNY, December 6 (Itar-Tass) - Scaffolding has been put up to hide from view Chechnya’s only Russian Orthodox church in Grozny: the church of St. Michael the Archangel was badly damaged in the course of military actions a few years ago and is in need of restoration.
The restoration efforts are included in the Chechen capital development plan and are expected to run to completion in time for Christmas in 2006, a source in the press service of the Grozny Mayor’s office said on Tuesday.
According to plan, the church that was considered to be one of the most beautiful in the North Caucasus will be restored to its original design. It was built 112 years ago by Terek Cossacks, when Fortress Groznaya was the only major building on the site, which the Chechen capital now occupies.
The Dean of the Russian Orthodox parishes in Ingushetia and Chechnya, Father Valaam of Ingushetia and Chechnya said more than 100 parishioners come to the church regularly, including Russian soldiers and policemen who are temporarily deployed in Chechnya.