Iturup Island: Putin promises cathedral in visit that sparks diplomatic row with Japantranslated

His assurance that he will support the construction of the Cathedral dedicated to Saints Peter and Paul on the island of Iturup was expressed by the President of Russia, Vladimir Putin, during his visit on Thursday, August 13, and his meeting with Archpriest, Roman Filipov, Head of the Russian Parish of the Epiphanies in Kurilsk. According to patriarchia.ru, the meeting took place on the premises of a school. Putin asked about the spiritual life of the island's inhabitants, the number of parishes and discussed with the priest the construction of a new church in honor of the Apostles Peter and Paul, promising to provide support for its construction. This is a church which was founded in 2025 and according to patriarchia.ru it will be the spiritual center of the Kuril Islands. Already the first stage is expected to be completed within this year.

The focus of the meeting with Priest Roman Filipov was also the progress of the work on the under construction chapel of the Holy Trinity which is located at the bottom of the under construction church.

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