The reigning madness

In Orel, the opening ceremony of the first monument to Tsar Ivan the Terrible was held in Russia, the press service of the regional government reports . The opening of the monument is timed to the Orthodox holiday - the cover of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

The monument was erected on the embankment near the Epiphany Cathedral, at the confluence of the Oka and Orlik rivers, where in 1566, an eagle was founded at the direction of Ivan the Terrible.

Minister of Culture Vladimir Medinsky took part in the ceremony. According to him, the installation of the monument is "recognition of the continuity of all stages of our history." "Ivan IV Grozny is one of the most contradictory and at the same time outstanding figures of Russian history. Over the years of his reign, he managed to take a number of bold and decisive steps aimed at strengthening the unity of the Russian state," the minister said. The installation of the monument to Ivan the Terrible in the city of Orle today is not only a tribute to the king and the soldier, but also the recognition of the continuity of all stages of our history. "

In turn, the Governor of the Oryol Region Vadim Potskiy noted that the installation of the monument is a significant event not only for the Oryol region, but also for the country as a whole. He expressed gratitude to all the inhabitants who supported the installation of the monument.

The first monument in Russia Ivan the Terrible, the founder of the eagle, intended to open in this city as part of the celebration of the 450th anniversary of the city on August 4-6. As Pisassky stated, the monument will be put on donations from citizens.

However, on July 20, at the Working meeting of Potskoye with representatives of the public, both opponents and supporters of the installation of the monument, it was customary to postpone the installation of the monument. According to the results of the meeting, it was decided to conduct a sociological survey on the need to install the monument in Orel and the place of its location.

“We are not going to make any changes in history, canonize Ivan the Terrible. We are talking about the founder of the city of Orel, who 450 years ago decided to establish a fortress here,” the governor said at the meeting.

On August 1, Pisassky said that the Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia Kirill approved the idea of ​​erecting a monument to Ivan the Terrible in Orel. According to the governor, on July 28, Cyril visited the Oryol region and met with him and Metropolitan Oryol and Bolkhovsky. During this meeting, the Patriarch noted that although Ivan the Terrible and Peter I do not deserve canonization because of their methods of public administration, "as powerful statesmen they will forever remain in history." "Ivan the Terrible as the founder of the city of Orel deserves the installation of a monument here," Kirill added.

On September 13, the Orel factory court adopted a lawsuit to challenge the administration and mayor of the city. The plaintiff recognize the construction of the monument in the security zone in front of the "Magistrate building". The courtprohibited the installation of the monument before making a decision in the case.

On September 29, deputies of the city council of Orel unanimously expressed themselves for the allocation of land under a monument to Ivan the Terrible . In June, deputies agreed on the installation at the magistrate building. However, after the public opposed the installation of the monument in this place, the location was decided to change. As a result, a place was proposed near the Red Bridge near the Epiphany Cathedral.

On October 1, the monument was erected on a pedestal. The authorities support the installation of the monument to Ivan the Terrible in Orel, because he is the founder of the city and the "great Russian king, the collector of the Russian land," said Negro. "He made everyone reckoning with Russia, he left our Orthodox faith. He did everything to ensure that Russia has become Russia. I have a great respect to strong leaders, because only such a leader is able to lead to development," the governor said.