‘How Can A Temple Be Closed And Sealed, Like A Warehouse Or A Village Shop For Stocktaking?’

The Red Church is closed in Minsk for four months now.

Four months have passed since the Red Church in Minsk was "closed to Jesus Christ and to believers". The Parish of Sts. Simeon and Saint Helena announced on January:

“Four months since we have been deprived of the great grace of God, which daily descended on our entire city from the Holy Masses served daily.”

After applying to the Investigative Committee for the return of the parish property confiscated on September 26 after the incident with broken windows and a fire in the sacristy, the police handed over the equipment, including video surveillance cameras and a computer, to representatives of the Parish Church Committee. But the church is still closed.

There is no heat and water in the Plebania [Church yard with priest's house - Ed.]. The priests and representatives of the Church Committee refused to leave it. Therefore, those who come to the Plebania for spiritual services are asked to bring clean water with them. The priests are still collecting melt water from the roof for sanitary needs.

Many tourists from Russia come to see the Church. “They are walking in groups around the church and wonder why it is closed,” the Parish's message and application to the officials read. “How can you humiliate your loved one, which is Holy?! To close and seal the temple, the House of God, like an ordinary warehouse or a village shop for stocktaking!? Do not humiliate your people and fear God and his curse on you and your families.”

The Parish asks the faithful people not to stop praying with the intention of returning to the Church and resuming their Parish life there.