Medinsky called the transfer of Isaac to the Russian Orthodox Church “a problem for the day after tomorrow”
The transfer of the premises of St. Isaac's Cathedral in St. Petersburg to the Russian Orthodox Church, which is now operating as a museum complex, is “a problem for the day after tomorrow.”
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Russian Minister of Culture Vladimir Medinsky announced this today in the State Duma.
“It seems to me that the main thing is that the interests of residents and visitors of St. Isaac’s Cathedral are not infringed. To God what is God's, to Caesar's what is Caesar's. It doesn’t matter whether this issue will be resolved now or in a year, or in three years. As far as I know, the Russian Orthodox Church has not yet officially submitted a package of documents for transfer. Therefore, this is a problem for the day after tomorrow,” Medinsky said.
In his opinion, the key point will be the agreement between the government of St. Petersburg and the user of St. Isaac's Cathedral.
“There should be a clearly stated procedure for visitor access, free access, work schedule, system for preserving museum valuables, who is responsible for utility and other problems, for repairs and restoration. If all this is included in the agreement, which is discussed with the public and agreed upon, then the issue will completely lose its urgency,” Medinsky said.
Medinsky called the transfer of St. Isaac's Cathedral to the Russian Orthodox Church "a problem for the day after tomorrow."