Sergey Aksyonov: “The opening of the chapel in memory of the Cossacks of the Kuban Cossack Army, participants in the Crimean Spring, will become a symbol of our unity”

The chapel was built on the territory of the Church of the Holy Apostle Andrew the First-Called in memory of the participation of the Cossacks of the Kuban Cossack Army in the events of the return of Crimea and Sevastopol to Russia in 2014.

Welcoming the participants of the event, Sergei Aksyonov noted that the facility was created on the initiative of Nikolai Doluda.

The construction site was not chosen by chance. It was here, in the Church of the Apostle Andrew the First-Called, that the Kuban Cossacks who arrived in Crimea in 2014 received shelter. Our friends and brothers, led by Nikolai Aleksandrovich Doluda, on behalf of the President, with the assistance of the leadership of the Krasnodar region and the support of Krasnodar residents, took part in the events of the Crimean spring from the very first days, ensuring the safety of the preparation and conduct of the referendum on reunification with Russia. Together we have walked a rather difficult path. But the unity and unanimity of the Crimeans and all residents of our big country helped us realize our old dream, restore historical justice and return to our homeland. Perhaps all this really was God’s providencesaid the Head of the Republic.

Sergei Aksyonov once again expressed gratitude to the Cossacks of the Kuban army for their help, emphasizing that the opening of an Orthodox chapel in Kerch will become a symbol of universal unity.

When we act together, all as one, we succeed. It will be so now: our consolidation around the President and his decisions, the Russian Armed Forces will help us win a new Victory“, concluded the Head of the Republic.

According to Veniamin Kondratiev, the chapel will remind of the events of the Crimean Spring and the importance of the unity of Kuban and Crimea, which have always been linked by strong ties of good neighborliness and mutual assistance. The Governor of the Krasnodar Territory expressed confidence that any challenges will be overcome, and the future of Russia will be protected if this unity is maintained and protected.

In turn, Nikolai Doluda reminded those present about the actions of the Kuban Cossacks in 2014, who, together with fighters of the Berkut special forces, were on duty at Perekop, Chongar, and Turkish Val. Together with the militia, they inspected trains at railway stations in Dzhankoy, Simferopol, and Sevastopol around the clock. They guarded the airport, the buildings of the Council of Ministers and the parliament of the republic, the television center, and polling stations.

Nikolai Doluda also donated an icon of the Archangel Michael to the parish of the Church of St. Apostle Andrew the First-Called.

The rite of consecration of the chapel was performed by Bishop Hilarion of Feodosia and Kerch.

According to the Bishop, the Most Holy Theotokos, after whom the chapel is named, has always been the special patroness of Rus’. The Mother of God showed her gracious help in 2014 and continues to show it now, during a special military operation, protecting believers from all evil.

Then the guests of honor toured the premises of the new chapel.

The event was attended by the head of the Kerch city administration Oleg Katorgin, military ataman of the Black Sea Cossack Army VKO Anton Sirotkin, and others.

source: Department of Information and Press Service of the Head of the Republic of Crimea