The largest mosque in Crimea is being built with the money of an Orthodox businessman
The construction of the largest Cathedral Mosque in Crimea, which is being completed, is being carried out at the expense of an Orthodox businessman, Metropolitan of Simferopol and Crimea Tikhon (Shevkunov) said at a press conference, a PolitNavigator correspondent reports.
“This mosque, which they say is grandiose, is being built by a very good friend of mine. He is an entrepreneur, Orthodox, and this mosque is being built with his funds. And I'm very glad that he does it. There was such an order, and it found such a spiritual response from the person, the understanding that here it is necessary to apply one’s capabilities, strength, and reserves. To some extent, Turkish companies are building, but to a greater extent, our Russian companies are building.
As for the opening, I will be very glad that it happens. We know that people of this faith, culture, and Crimean Tatar people live in Crimea and, of course, it is very good that our state, which helps build Orthodox churches, also helps build Muslim churches. If God willing, I will definitely come to the opening,” the Metropolitan assured.
He is confident that he will find a common language with representatives of the Muslim clergy in order to jointly create some kind of humanitarian, social and cultural projects.
According to the head of the Crimean diocese, today there is no need for the massive construction of new Orthodox churches on the peninsula - it would be better to put the existing ones in order.
“As for churches and monasteries, we should preserve what exists and not allow it to collapse. It is most important. Where temples are needed, they are now being built there. In Crimea we have such a huge number of ancient monuments, cave monasteries and temples, so there is enough work to put them in order, to bring them from a dangerous state to the proper level. This is the most important thing,” says the Metropolitan.
He also emphasized that Crimea does not stimulate the Moscow Patriarchate to transfer new dioceses of the UOC to the Russian Orthodox Church. The relevant decisions are made independently by the local clergy in new regions of the Russian Federation.
“This is transferred directly to the Moscow Patriarchate, this is not the competence of Crimea. Here we receive both wounded and new priests - they serve with us and are being treated now. Yesterday at the service I saw a wounded priest, he is being treated here. Yes, we help here, it is within our competence. The affairs of other dioceses are already beyond our authority.
A lot is being done in the Crimean metropolis, including helping those affected by this conflict. And a lot of people come to help our soldiers. This, without a doubt, is primarily done from Crimean soil,” he emphasized.
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