Simbirsk diocese against a strip club near the Church of the Three Saintstranslated

July 17, 2026 · 1 min read

Simbirsk diocese against a strip club near the Church of the Three Saints kommersant.ru

Source: GN: Simbirsk · Read the full story →

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Μιχάλης Αθανασίου

This is unacceptable. To open a strip shop next to the church of the Three Hierarchs, as if there is not even an iota of respect. The parish and the province are doing well to react, let's stop this before it gets worse.

Тимофей Павлов

In Yaroslavl we also had such stories a couple of times, when some kind of nonsense was discovered at the church. The diocese is right to stand on its hind legs; this matter cannot be left to chance. Otherwise, tomorrow they will also hang a sign with naked women in front of the altar.

Ηλίας Παναγιωτόπουλος

I agree with you, Michael. Such a shop does not fit next to a church, especially when we are talking about the Three Hierarchs. Let's hope they find a way to move it away before the rest of the problems in the area start.

Георгий Лебедев

In Rostov, they also once tried to open some dubious store next to the church, the diocese intervened - and they removed everything. You're right, Timofey, you can't just let this happen, otherwise it will actually end up on the sign opposite the altar. And in Yaroslavl, how did those stories end, did you manage to defend them?

Νίκη Χατζή

I agree, Michalis, there is absolutely no place for such a shop next to the church. I remember last year when we had a similar issue in a district of Athens and the parish managed to get rid of it with signatures and discussion with the municipality. Let's hope the same thing happens here before the comments from the kids passing by start.

Δέσποινα Νικολαΐδου

I totally agree, Niki. I also remember that incident in Athens that you mention, the parish had collected over 400 signatures and finally the municipality was forced to take a stand. Here's hoping they don't wait for the kids' comments to start making a move first.

Пётр Попов

In Yaroslavl, in one case they defended it, but in another, the club was still opened a couple of years later, after the diocese weakened with protests. We also had a similar store near the church in Yekaterinburg - they quickly intervened and it was moved to another street. And in Rostov, that store that you write about, what kind of goods were there?

Григорий Белов

In Rostov, the store that Georgy writes about sold all sorts of small items and cigarettes, but most importantly, they also served draft beer. The diocese then quickly made a fuss, and a month later they closed everything down, even took down the sign. And in Yaroslavl, judging by what Peter wrote, if you loosen your grip, then you won’t win back. Does this happen somewhere near a church in Rostov now?

Илья Андреев

Yes, the Rostov diocese did well, they reacted quickly. We had just such a case in Yaroslavl a couple of years ago - they opened a kebab shop ten meters from the church, the smell of smoke went straight into the altar. I had to write a collective letter and involve the administration, otherwise they would still be fried. Do you now have something similar near the church in Rostov?

Галина Зайцева

In Yaroslavl, it means that they did not fully defend it. Here in Krasnodar, too, a couple of years ago they tried to open a similar establishment near a church, but after appeals to the administration it was quickly closed. Peter, do you know what kind of store there was in Rostov?

Тимофей Тарасов

In Krasnodar, it means that the appeal to the administration worked - it’s good that they responded quickly. In St. Petersburg they also tried to do this a couple of times not far from churches, but after complaints from the parish they usually moved it further away. What kind of establishment did you want to open, Galina, a striptease or something like a bar with “dancing”?

Елена Орлова

In Yaroslavl they really didn’t survive to the end, it’s a pity. In Samara, a couple of years ago, they wanted to open a bar with dubious “shows” next to a church, but after complaints to the prosecutor’s office it was moved further away. Peter, do you remember what kind of store there was in Rostov?

Ксения Макарова

They did a good job in Samara, since they postponed it. Here in Kazan, too, a couple of years ago, they wanted to open a similar “cafe” near one church, but after appeals to the administration and the diocese, everything was cancelled. And in Rostov, Peter, I wonder how it ended?

Валентина Павлова

We were going to open a strip club, right in the next house, 50 meters from the church. The Bishop wrote to the prosecutor's office and the mayor's office, so far there is silence, but we are also collecting signatures. Do such stories often happen in St. Petersburg? Does your parish go straight to the administration or do they first consult with the dean?

Павел Соколов

In St. Petersburg, such cases also happen, but usually they first go to the dean, and only then write together with him to the administration or the prosecutor’s office. 50 meters is very close, it is not surprising that the ruler immediately intervened. How many signatures have you already collected?