Sarapul. 11 October witnessed the long-awaited opening of the Church of Holy Mother of God Protection. Constructed in 1788 it was closed during the Soviet times and the building of the Church hosted the bakery.
In 2010 OAO NK RussNeft management made a decision to offer financial aid to restore one of the most beautiful churches in the river Kama region. Restoration works started in Spring 2011. In the shortest period the staff of FGUP “GUSST No.8” contributed to the completion of the main woks.
“We have many charity projects across Russia, including the Udmurt Republuic. Restoration of the Church of Protection is more than another object, this is the need of heart and soul”, remarked Mikhail Gutseriev, President of OAO NK RussNeft. I am happy that citizens of Sarapul honor and keep up traditions. Historical reasons once contributed to the destruction of the Church, but irrespective of that there are people today who are ready to devote all their soul and strengths to restore the Church. If today the Church can improve or save at least one person, all expenses for its restoration are worth it”.
There is no doubt there will be many parishioners in the restored Church. The citizens of Sarapul, present at the solemn opening ceremony confess that they had been waiting for this moment for a long time. They followed restoration works attentively. The works let recreate the unique sample of the Church culture of the XVIII century.
Metropolitan Nikolay of Izhevsk and the Udmurt land was grateful to all the participants of the restoration. This big event was also marked by the President of Udmurtia.
“The opening of the Church is a good sign. It signs that more and more people every year find their way to God. The restored Church represents hundreds and thousands of people becoming kinder towards themselves and other people”, said Alexander Volkov, President of the Udmurt Republic. “There have been ruins here lately. At the moment, owing to people who are not indifferent to the others, the Church has been restored. Religious people will come to this Church: search for peace, when they are going through hard times. They will thank God in the minutes of joy. I am sure that the restored Church will contribute to the spiritual renewal both of Sarapul, its citizens and of our country on the whole.
Reference
Construction and restoration of Churches has been an integral part of the social politics of OAO NK RussNeft in Udmurtia.
Let us remind you, that RussNeft sponsored construction and restoration of the following Churches:
Holy Royal Martyrs Church in the city of Izhevsk
Kazan Holy Mary Church in the village of Balezino
Holy Trinity Church in the village of Valamaz, Septinsky district
Saint Panteleimon Great-Martyr and Healer Church in the village of Karakulino
Presentation of the Virgin Church in the village of Nynek, Mozhginsky district
Saint Michael Cathedral in Izhevsk
Malo-Diveevsky Monastery in the village of Noria, Malopurginsky district
