In the capital of Tatarstan work on the reconstruction of the Cathedral of the Kazan Icon of the Mother of God began

State Councillor of the Republic of Tatarstan Mintimer Shaimiev and Tatarstan head of the Archdiocese, Metropolitan of Kazan and Tatarstan Feofan visited the recreating Cathedral Our Lady of Kazan. The meeting was attended by the Mayor of Kazan Ilsur Metshin.

To date work on the reconstruction of the cathedral is conducted over an area of ​​2.5 thousand square meters and is associated with the beginning of the research process. According to Director of the Tatarstan Academy of Sciences Institute of archeology Airat Sitdikov, now there is a clearing of the layers formed as a result of an explosion in 1931, when the temple was destroyed. "After that basic research will begin. Together with archaeologists, architects and restorers a process of clearing the building envelope is carried out to determine the state of the object that survived. Additional studies will be carried out later to determine the parameters of the work to be in the course of reconstruction”, - A.Sitdikov said.

Mintimer Shaimiev said that in the dialogue with bishop Feofan mutual understanding on all issues of principle was found. "We've got a lot of work – to uncover and fix everything very carefully. The idea was to restore what remains of the cathedral: the foundation of the main temple and the cave temple, and leave exposed or under glass, built a new temple nearby. But we decided that although we lose the time and cost of the work, but when there is the slightest possibility to save all, it is necessary to do so. There is a desire to keep everything under a common plate, which will carry the load. There is such technology,"- the State Adviser said.

As the meeting was also said that the temple, which was once cold, will be recreated with  the heat to residents of the city could come at any time of the year.

"I think that for me it is a reward from God, the Mother of God – bishop Feofan said about the restoration of the cathedral in Kazan. - In the Middle East, in Argentina, in Uruguay, in South Africa - I met the temples in honor of the Kazan Icon of the Mother of God, built before the revolution. So the restoration of the cathedral in the capital of Tatarstan is a gift not only for Kazan, but for the whole Russia and the world".

Mayor of Kazan Ilsur Metshin also shared his impressions of the work carried out. "When as the young Mayor I was brought here and showed the Kazan icon of the Mother of God, I read the prayer. Thank God, everything has come true, everything that I have asked for these 10 years. We asked to Kazan grew among other cities, and the Almighty answered us. Therefore, it is our duty, my duty as Mayor - to do everything to the temple was built for our faithful. Let it will be built with the world", - I. Metshin said.

The participants agreed to meet as needed. It also became known that the ceremonial laying of the first stone of the cathedral is planned for July 21 this year.

The workshop was also attended by Deputy Prime Minister of the Republic of Tatarstan Vasil Shaykhraziev, Deputy Chairman of RT State Council, the executive director of "Revival" Foundation Tatyana Larionova, Deputy Chairman of RT State Council, chairman of the administrative council of the Fund Yuri Kamaltynov, Minister of Culture of Tatarstan Airat Sibagatullin, the governor of Kazan Mother of God monastery father Mark (Vilensky) and other officials.