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Giant new Russian cathedral glorifies Putin and Stalin in mosaics Giant new Russian cathedral glorifies Putin and Stalin in mosaics
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Crimea annexation also exalted in Moscow church due to open on anniversary of WW2 victory Crimea annexation also exalted in Moscow church due to open on anniversary of 1945 victory
Russia is planning to open a huge cathedral with mosaics depicting Vladimir Putin and Joseph Stalin, as well as the annexation of Crimea, on the 75th anniversary of the defeat of Nazi Germany next month.Russia is planning to open a huge cathedral with mosaics depicting Vladimir Putin and Joseph Stalin, as well as the annexation of Crimea, on the 75th anniversary of the defeat of Nazi Germany next month.
The mammoth structure will be one of the world’s tallest Orthodox cathedrals when it opens in the military’s Patriot Park outside Moscow on 9 May .The mammoth structure will be one of the world’s tallest Orthodox cathedrals when it opens in the military’s Patriot Park outside Moscow on 9 May .
Largely, the Resurrection of Christ Cathedral is a monument to the Soviet victory in the second world war. The diameter of the drum under the main cupola will measure 19.45 metres to signify the year the war ended, and a “road of memory” will have 1418 steps, corresponding to the number of days the Soviet Union fought in the war. Its main steps are reportedly forged from metal salvaged from Nazi military hardware. Largely, the Resurrection of Christ Cathedral is a monument to the Soviet victory in the second world war. The diameter of the drum under the main cupola will measure 19.45 metres to signify the year the war ended, and a “road of memory” will have 1,418 steps, corresponding to the number of days the Soviet Union fought in the war. Its main steps are reportedly forged from metal salvaged from Nazi military hardware.
But special attention has been paid to several eye-catching mosaics, which glorify Putin and other current Russian officials during the country’s annexation of Crimea in 2014, an operation led by unmarked Russian army units referred to as “little green men”. But special attention has been paid to several eye-catching mosaics that glorify Putin and other Russian officials during the annexation of Crimea in 2014, an operation led by unmarked Russian army units referred to as “little green men”.
One of the mosaics, first revealed by the MBKh News website, depicts Putin, the defence minister, Sergei Shoigu, the head of the Federal Security Service, Alexander Bortnikov, and other top brass walking among a sea of Russians bearing tricolour flags. Also in the crowd appear to be Valery Gerasimov, a prominent Russian general, and Sergey Aksyonov, the current head of Crimea installed by Putin. One of the mosaics, first revealed by the MBKh News website, depicts Putin, Sergei Shoigu, the defence minister, Alexander Bortnikov, the head of the Federal Security Service, and other top brass walking among a sea of Russians bearing tricolour flags. Also in the crowd appear to be Valery Gerasimov, a prominent Russian general, and Sergey Aksyonov, the current head of Crimea installed by Putin.
A missing panel photographed separately shows several women in front of a sign that reads: “Crimea is ours.” A missing panel photographed separately shows several women in front of a sign that reads “Crimea is ours”.
Andrey Kuraev, an archdeacon, wrote: “It’s like a guilty plea to the Hague. If an icon with the conquest of Crimea is placed in an army cathedral, that means the army played a decisive role in this operation.” Andrey Kuraev, an archdeacon, wrote: “It’s like a guilty plea to The Hague. If an icon with the conquest of Crimea is placed in an army cathedral, that means the army played a decisive role in this operation.”
Church officials confirmed the leaked pictures, saying it was custom to include real figures in church mosaics.Church officials confirmed the leaked pictures, saying it was custom to include real figures in church mosaics.
“There has always been this tradition, when historical scenes are depicted from one period or another. It’s understood that one of these meaningful events was the accession of Crimea. The leading members of the government, who will be depicted here, took part in that accession,” Bishop Stefan, the head of the cathedral, told the business newspaper RBC.“There has always been this tradition, when historical scenes are depicted from one period or another. It’s understood that one of these meaningful events was the accession of Crimea. The leading members of the government, who will be depicted here, took part in that accession,” Bishop Stefan, the head of the cathedral, told the business newspaper RBC.
Another mosaic depicts the 1945 parade following the victory over Nazi Germany in 1945, with a crowd of soldiers standing in front of the Kremlin and a banner bearing a portrait of Stalin. It is one of his first appearances on a state building since the 1960s. Another mosaic depicts the 1945 parade following the victory over Nazi Germany, with a crowd of soldiers standing in front of the Kremlin and a banner bearing a portrait of Stalin. It is one of his first appearances on a state building since the 1960s.
“They are holding a poster with Stalin, but he isn’t among the marshals of the victory, despite being the commander in chief,” the artist who made the mosaics told the Novaya Gazeta newspaper.“They are holding a poster with Stalin, but he isn’t among the marshals of the victory, despite being the commander in chief,” the artist who made the mosaics told the Novaya Gazeta newspaper.
Putin has reacted carefully to public revelations about the mosaics. A spokesman on Sunday described his reaction: “When he was told about this, he smiled and said, ‘Someday our thankful descendants will appreciate our merits, but it’s too early to do so now.’” Putin has reacted carefully to public revelations about the mosaics. A spokesman said on Sunday: “When he was told about this, he smiled and said: ‘Someday our thankful descendants will appreciate our merits, but it’s too early to do so now.’”
On Monday evening, the church said it would engage its arts committee to review the mosaic. On Monday evening the church said it would engage its arts committee to review the mosaic.