The Bishop of Perm promises to appeal to the Presidential Administration if the regional authorities do not resolve the issue of transferring the cathedral building occupied by an art gallery to the diocese

In an interview with the Zvezda newspaper, Bishop of Perm and Solikamsk Irinarch (Grezin) touched upon the issue of transferring to the diocese the former cathedral building occupied by an art gallery. According to him, there was an agreement that the gallery would be removed from the cathedral building within 5 years, but 8 years have passed since then, and the premises have not been transferred to the diocese: the building designed to house the gallery was not approved by the governor. Moreover, the gallery manager does not allow an Orthodox cross to be placed on the cathedral building.

The bishop believes that the art gallery could be transferred to the building of the Palace of Culture named after. Lenin, transferred to the ownership of the Pentecostals.

The bishop referred to Patriarch Kirill, who said that “if the Perm province cannot resolve this issue on its own, we will be forced to involve the presidential administration in this issue.”

Commenting on his position, Bishop Irinarh stated : “Yes, I’m doing my job! I’m put in charge of Orthodoxy and Orthodox spirituality in the Perm region. But without property, without premises, I can’t do anything. I’m not an angel. I can’t pray with Perm flock on the clouds. And I ask only what is necessary for the life of believing citizens, for their spiritual nourishment by the clergy of the Russian Orthodox Church in the Perm region."

Sources

• Lukanina O. Bishop of Perm and Solikamsk Irinarch: “The Church must respond to all phenomena of life” // Website of the Perm diocese. 2010. January. (Republication of an interview with Bishop of Perm and Solikamsk Irinarch (Grezin) to the newspaper "Zvezda" dated January 20, 2010).