RUSIA: Putin intervenes in row over new church

Russian President Vladimir Putin has intervened in the ongoing row over a new church in Yekaterinburg. He said the Russian Orthodox Church “should unite people, not divide them”, and called for the plans to build a church in a park to be put to a poll. The city’s deputy mayor quickly announced construction would be […]

Russian President Vladimir Putin has intervened in the ongoing row over a new church in Yekaterinburg.

He said the Russian Orthodox Church “should unite people, not divide them”, and called for the plans to build a church in a park to be put to a poll.

The city’s deputy mayor quickly announced construction would be suspended while a survey was conducted.

Russian Orthodox Church says it needs new churches to replace the many buildings destroyed under Soviet anti-religion laws.