Mar

16

Bari Church Returns to Russian Orthodox

March 16, 2007 |

BARI, Italy - Russian President Vladimir Putin’s visit to Bari brought about the return of that city’s Russian Orthodox-built church to the Patriarchate of Moscow.

On Wednesday, the municipality of Bari agreed to Putin’s request to hand over to the Orthodox patriarchate possession of the church dedicated to St. Nicholas.

Putin had requested the Vatican’s help to achieve this objective.

When meeting with Benedict XVI on Tuesday, Putin gave the Pope an icon representing St. Nicholas the Miracle Worker.

The church was built by the Russian Orthodox in 1913. Throughout the second millennium, Bari has been the object of pilgrimages for Russian Orthodox, who have a great devotion to St. Nicholas.

The church was purchased in 1937 by the city’s municipality in unclear circumstances.

During Putin’s visit to Bari, on the occasion of a summit with the Italian government, he prayed before St. Nicholas’ remains in the Catholic basilica where they are kept.

Courtesy of Zenit.org


Comments

Name (required)

Email (required)

Website

Speak your mind