The Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia

Nasha Gazeta Publishes a Russian-Language Article
on the Exhibition Dedicated to the 150th Anniversary
of Elevation of the Cross Cathedral in Geneva, Switzerland

http://nashagazeta.ch/news/culture/steny-dokumenty-i-lica-russkogo-hrama

The 150th anniversary of the oldest Russian church in Switzerland will be celebrated next week in Geneva with the opening of a photo exhibit and archival documents, as reported to RIA Novosti by the St Andrew the First-Called Foundation.

The Cathedral of the Elevation of the Cross was built under the aegis of the daughter of Emperor Nicholas I, Grand Duchess Maria Nikolaevna, and the Romanov House made significant contributions towards its construction. From the very first days of its existence, the church has gathered may Christian residents of Geneva, regardless of nationality: Russians, Serbs, Bulgarians, Syrians, Copts and many others.

“The Elevation of the Cross Cathedral in Geneva is one of the most visible symbols of the legacy that unites Russia and Switzerland. The St Andrew the First-Called Foundation eagerly supported the initiative of His Eminence Archbishop Michael of Geneva and Western Europeto prepare a photo exhibit on the 150 th anniversary of this temple,” noted Vladimir Yakunin, representative of the press service of the Foundation.

In his words, international programs which help people living in the diaspora to discover the richness of Russian culture and history are part of the Foundation’s traditional mandate; many such events have taken place already in France, Italy, Greece, Serbia and Austria.

The exhibition will open on June 7, 2016, in the State Archives of Geneva. It is expected that Mr Yakunin, Archbishop Michael, local dignitaries and representatives of other Christian confessions will attend the opening. Exhibits will come from the Russian Museum, the Museum of Architecture of the Academy of Arts of the Russian Academy of Sciences, the Russian Historical Museum, the House of the Russian Diaspora Library and the State Archives of the Russian Federation.

The organizers noted that this exhibit will present the cathedral not only as a jewel of architecture, byt as a cultural and benevolent center, preserving the traditions of Russian language and history. The photographs reveal pages of history of the Orthodox community in Geneva, the stages of construction, annexes and renovation projects and important icons which have taken part in its history.