Russia Restores Lutheran Church to Germany on 500th Anniversary of Reformation
Russia and Germany should work together to overcome the alienation that grew between them in the last years. It is with this message that the German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier came to Moscow. The biggest item on his agenda is, of course, talks with Vladimir Putin.
Among the topics are Syria, North Korea and Russian initiative on the UN mission in Donbass. But today's visit was not only about politics. Aleksandr Balitsky will round it up for us.
Laying a wreath to the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in the Alexander Garden is a must for foreign delegations. But the president of Germany doing that carries special symbolism. The outcome of World War II is set in stone for Germany. Hence the pursuit of historical justice. It was also a major topic today at the Lutheran Cathedral of Saints Peter and Paul.
On the 500th anniversary of the Reformation, Russia is giving it to the Lutheran church.
Frank-Walter Steinmeier, President of Germany: "I'd like to thank the Russian President for his support on this issue. It is indeed a great, very strong and impressive gesture coming in the year of a big Reformation anniversary. Especially since I know how important this church is for the congregation. While other countries border on mountains, oceans and rivers, Russia borders on God. These words were said about Russia by Rainer Maria Rilke".
The Lutheran cathedral, built in the center of Moscow back in 1905 by the architect Shechtel, was closed in 1937, as most churches. Since then, it housed movie theater Arktika and studio Diafilm whose remodeling work completely destroyed the historical interior.
And the organ, known all over pre-revolutionary Russia, was first moved to Novosibirsk as the war started and then used for scrap metal. Only in the early 90's, the Lutheran community started to restore the church. And today its vaults are once again enveloped by the enchanting sounds of the organ.