Yabloko held a discussion about the construction of modular churches in Moscow

On October 16, 2012, a discussion took place in the office of the Yabloko party on the construction of modular Orthodox churches in Moscow. The discussion was attended by supporters and opponents of the construction of temples, experts, representatives of the party.

The speakers spoke about violations during construction, including the development of nature conservation areas, spoke about the need to comply with the Constitution and the inadmissibility of granting privileges to one religious organization.

Supporters of the implementation of the "Program-200" were represented, in particular, by the head of the Orthodox Action Corporation Kirill Frolov, the Orthodox activist Dmitry Tsorionov , the head of the Solntsevo branch of the "Young Guard" Dmitry Smirnov.

K. Frolov said about the lack of Orthodox churches in Moscow, and also that the protests against the construction of these churches are the work of the “bog opposition” . "We won't let the minorities win anymore ," Frolov said.

D. Smirnov assured those present that " "the Russian Orthodox Church will pray for the President and United Russia, whether the citizens like it or not .

Researcher at the Center for the Study of Eastern Europe at the University of Bremen, Nikolai Mitrokhin, citing official statistics, said that the number of parishioners in Moscow churches is declining. He also questioned the authenticity of the signatures collected in support of the opening of new temples.

“If I see anything in the situation around the construction of churches, then this is the same group of people who have been traveling around Moscow for 15 years and demanding the construction of churches. This group consists of 5-6 people, it is headed by Kirill Frolov ,” N. Mitrokhin said. According to him, the head of the Association of Orthodox Experts "has no direct relationship with the Russian Orthodox Church and is systematically criticized by its priests, has an extremely skeptical image even in the church press . "

According to the chairman of Yabloko, Sergei Mitrokhin, the best way to solve the problem of the lack of churches is to restore the destroyed ones, especially since their cultural value is higher than that of the “new buildings” . “The policy that the ROC is currently pursuing, including on modular churches, reduces its authority in the eyes of all citizens, including Orthodox, as well as the aggressiveness and intolerance of Orthodox activists. If necessary, YABLOKO will protect the Orthodox from them!” S. Mitrokhin said. Sources

• "YABLOKO" discussed with "Orthodox experts" temples within walking distance // Website of the Yabloko party. 2012. October 17.