Boris Vishnevsky, leader of the YABLOKO faction in St.Petersburg Legislative Assembly, was one of the organisers of the action

Based on publications in the Russian media, 30.01.2017

On 28 January, Boris Vishnevsky, leader of the YABLOKO faction in St.Petersburg Legislative Assembly, and party activists participated in the action against the transfer of St. Isaac’s Cathedral, iconic landmark of the city, to the gratis use of the Russian Orthodox Church. The residents of the city demanded resignation of Georgy Poltavchenko, St.Petersburg Governor, who took this decision neglecting public opinion.

About 2.000 – 3.000 people came to the city centre, to the Champ de Mars, to protest. The event was held in the format of a meeting of city residents with their deputies, as the city authorities did not give their agreement for a rally, and the so-called “Hyde Park” was occupied by nationalists from NOD. In their application NOD pointed out that about 700 people should come to their action, in fact only 50 activists took part.

On 10 January, Governor Georgy Poltavchenko announced the transfer of St. Isaac’s Cathedral to the Russian Orthodox Church. Deputies of the YABLOKO faction in the Legislative Assembly of St. Petersburg opposed this decision, arguing that it was economically unreasonable, as until present the cathedral (a museum where excursions, as well as church services, were held) has been bearing the expenses for its maintenance. In case of transfer of the Cathedral of the Russian Orthodox Church, it will be the city, i.e., the taxpayers who will have to do it.

Photo by Elena Lukyunova/ Novaya Gazeta in St.Petersburg

“Dear friends! We are always told that an alleged majority demands that St.Isaac’s Cathedral must be transferred to the church. But look at the Champ de Mars. Look: on the opposite side of the eternal flame there is a rally, stated as mass-scale, in favour of the transfer of the St.Isaac’s Cathedral to the church. Just compare, how many of them are there, and look how plenty of us came here,” Boris Vishnevsky said.

The organisers handed to the protester blue ribbons – a symbol of the movement for historic preservation of the city. The participants made an improvised stage out of two boxes. Not only deputies, but also ordinary residents of the city spoke about the Cathedral, recited poems, and recalled the siege of St.Petersburg.

Boris Vishnevsky also informed citizens that the headquarters of civil resistance started their work. This body would organise and coordinate protests aimed at the annulment of the decision of the city authorities on the transfer of St. Isaac’s Cathedral in the Russian Orthodox Church.

The protesters held placards: “Thou shalt not steal,” “The Russian Orthodox Church does not have Christ in it”, “God does not need a real estate” and “The handover St.Isaac’s means betral of St.Petersburg” and others.

Photo by Elena Lukyunova/ Novaya Gazeta in St.Petersburg

The deputies of the Legislative Assembly stated that they initiated a referendum on the use of the cathedral. The meeting gathered 2.080 signatures against the transfer of the St.Isaac’s to the church.