Original Material
Orthodox monastery petitions against ancient pagan landmark
In the town of Pereslavl, outside Yaroslavl, someone has granted a request by the Russian Orthodox Church and covered up a sign leading sightseers to the so-called Blue Stone (an ancient pagan sacred stone that turns dark blue when wet).
According to local reports, the representatives of a nearby monastery complained to police that it was inappropriate to include information about a pagan spectacle with directions to Russian Orthodox holy places. (The roadsign in question also directs drivers to the Nikitskiy Monastery.)
“That which was created by nature and God transcends us on this Earth. But the excessive vulgarization and alteration of people’s consciousness—this is not okay,” the monastery's Archpriest Alexander Peredernin told a local news website.
It remains unclear if the covering up of the directions [to the Blue Stone] is related to the monastery’s appeal.
- The Blue Stone is located not far from Lake Pleshcheyevo. It has been in place since the times of ancient Rus, before the arrival of Christianity.
- According to the news website 76.ru, thousands of tourists come to view the stone every year. In late 2014, local officials reportedly spent roughly 5 million rubles (more than $87,000) landscaping the area around the attraction. In 2015, the national park containing the Blue Stone introduced fees for visiting the landmark, but the local Attorney General’s Office insisted on keeping access free.