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Russian church and opponents spar over cathedral handover
People take part in a rally in front of the St Isaac's Cathedral in Saint Petersburg, Russia on February 12, 2017 to protest against the city authorities' decision to hand control of the building to the powerful Russian Orthodox Church (AFP Photo/Olga MALTSEVA)
AFP
February 12, 2017
Saint Petersburg (AFP) - Russia's powerful Orthodox Church faced off on Sunday with thousands of protesters in the northwestern city of Saint Petersburg over the fate of a cathedral that is one of the city's top tourist attractions.
The city is preparing to hand over control of the central St Isaac's Cathedral -- Russia's largest -- to the Orthodox Church after decades as a museum.
But the decision has sparked a furious row, pitting clerics against locals who feel aggrieved the city is handing over a key tourist asset to the Church without public consultation.
The imposing domed cathedral built in the 19th century is popular with tourists who climb up onto its roof for a spectacular view.
While some religious services are held there, the cathedral is run as a museum with an entry charge.
After Russia's 1917 revolution, the atheist Bolsheviks took over churches, stripping them of valuables and using them as factories or storerooms.
St Isaac's Cathedral served for a time as a Museum of Atheism.
https://www.yahoo.com/news/russian-church-opponents-spar-over-cathedral-handover-170014610.html
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