Opening of restored buildings of Holy Dormition Monastery and Trinity church of St. John the Baptist monastery took place in Sviyazhsk (Tatarstan Republic) on September, 3.

President of Tatarstan Rustam Minnikhanov, RF Minister of transport Igor Levitin, State Counselor of RT Mintimer Shaimev, RT Prime Minister Ildar Khalikov, chiefs of ministries and departments, dwellers of Sviyazhsk island attended the ceremony.

The restored Trinity church is the only monument of Russian wooden architecture of XVI century in Volga region. It is the first Orthodox church of the first monastery in the Middle and the Lower Volga region, only the Church of Ordination (1485) from Borodava village of Vologda region that was transferred to Kirillov town, the territory of St. Cyril of Beloozersk Monastery is older.

The Trinity church was consecrated on May, 17 in 1551.

“Thus day is very important for every believer. The main thing is that during restoration works all material traces were preserved. Now we see the monument of the first quarter of XIX century”, - the leader of design group, architect-restorer of the highest grade Boris Lurie said at the opening ceremony.

“It is just the beginning, in one year restored churches will be in due form, tourists and pilgrims will be coming here in order to that spiritual world Tatarstan managed to preserve”, - Archbishop of Kazan and Tatarstan Anastasy said. After the opening ceremony distinguished guests looked over the restored church.

Restored buildings of Holy Dormition Monastery of Sviyazhsk were presented afterwards. Officials visited Brethren's building where living and administrative premises of the monastery will be located. Guests as well saw the Archimandrite’s building and Monasterial school of Holy Dormition Monastery where brethren's cells and chamber of Monastery’s Superior will be located. One more historical event - supply of electricity to the island-town Sviyazhsk on continuing basis was held before the official opening ceremony of Monastery’s buildings.

A solemn meeting dedicated to putting into operation objects of historical and cultural heritage in Tatarstan located in Sviyazhsk Holy Dormition Monastery took place afterwards.

“Again we are glad because of changes happening in Sviyazhsk. The objects we are currently putting into operation are serious investments, objects of All-Russia significance”, - RT President Rustam Minnikhanov said. He thanked State Counselor of RT Mintimer Shaimev and investors for accomplished works on restoring historical monuments.

Mintimer Shaimev stressed that restoration of sacred places in tolerant Tatarstan unites people and thanked federal centre and RT Government. “It is pleasant that businessmen in Tatarstan and outside republic take part in such noble actions. Tatarstan gives impetus to Russian society by restoring such objects”, - RT State Counselor said and reminded that a monument to victims of repressions will be soon opened in Sviyazhsk.

Letter of gratitude of RT President was handed to Director of JSC “KAMAZ” Sergei Kogogin, letters of gratitude of RT President and books of “Vozrozhdenie” Fund were granted to I.Bogouslavsky, D.Khaibullin, V.Markelov, B.Tikhomirov, A.Samarenkin, S.Akulchev, R.Shaikhulov, B.Lurie, D.Safiullin.

Awards on behalf of Kazan eparchy were granted to benefactors.