Moscow July 6, 2010
"The anniversary will be celebrated on November 25, the feast of the "All Merciful" Icon of the Mother of God. The main change for the sisters and all Muscovites will be the Monastery's new appearance, the restoration of the Cathedral of the Nativity of the Mother of God."
Work on the restoration of the Nativity Cathedral is being directed by Abbess Juliana (Kaleda) of the monastery. The scaffolding around the cathedral domes will soon be removed, and work will soon begin on the iconostasis.
"I think that many construction contractors could learn a thing or two from Abbess Juliana," the prefect remarked. "As a professional builder and manager, she is carrying on the work at an amazing pace."
The refectory is also being restored, and the monastery territory is being improved. "The monument to the monastery's founder, St. Alexei, Metropolitan of Moscow, is also being improved," Alexandrov added. "A museum is being set up in the cathedral's basement. Many items that have witnessed the monastery's life will find a worthy home there."
Part of the restoration work was funded by the Mayor of Moscow, Yuri Luzhkov, and the prefecture of the Central Admistrative Region.
