In Evpatoria, the building of the Armenian church is transferred to believers
Text: Ilya Izotov
In Yevpatoria, the local religious organization “Surb Nikogayos Church” (St. Nicholas) transferred to the indefinite gratuitous use of historic buildings, which were previously secured by the right of day-to-day management of the “Yevpatoria boarding house for the elderly”. This decision was made at a meeting of the interdepartmental commission of the Council of Ministers of the Republic of Kazakhstan, which considers the issues of returning property to religious organizations.
The fate of the former church buildings and property of the Holy Armenian Apostolic Orthodox Church has been discussed since 2014, when Crimea returned to Russia. Then the ruler of the Russian and Novo-Nakhichevan diocese, Ezras, visiting the peninsula, agreed with the head of the Republic of Kazakhstan Sergei Aksenov on the return of real estate. But before the implementation of this decision, life took five years. Now the building of the church, church school and the house of the clergy (abbot) have been handed over to the Armenian church for free use for a period of 100 years.
“This is a long-awaited decision, since the requirement of federal legislation on the return of religious property is fulfilled,” commented Father Anania (Babayan), rector of Surb Nikoghaes Church, on the transfer of property. – Now after solving all legal issues, the buildings handed over to us will have to be brought in order. Now there is no water and light in them, and half of the building of the parish school has not been repaired. We want the cultural and educational center to work here faster, because now 25 of our children are forced to study in different schools of the city.
According to the head priest, the religious community intends to maintain good neighborly relations with an orphanage for the elderly, and the doors of the church will always be open to his patients.
Help “WG”
Surb Nikogayos Church was built in the 30s-40s of the XIX century from smoothly hewn blocks of white limestone in place of the old wooden church. Under Soviet rule, the church was closed, and its domes, bell tower and portals were destroyed. After World War II, the temple was used as a warehouse, and then was transferred to the use of a nursing home.
ORIGINE SOURCES-rg.ru/2019/07/16/reg-ufo/v-evpatorii-zdanie-armianskoj-cerkvi-peredano-veruiushchim.html
TRADUCTION ANGLAIS «lousavor avedis»
