Penza, 27 February 2014. PenzaNews. Bishop Seraphim of Penza and Nizhnelomovsk estimated the pace of construction of Spassky Cathedral during his visit to the construction site on Thursday, February 27.

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“A lot has been done for 2,5 years. However, these are only walls. But unfortunately, basic and the most expensive is decoration. Traditionally, the cathedral is an ornate building with a special form of roof, domes. Currently, we are very close to this stage. Around 400 million rubles have already been spent. To complete the construction, we need just a little more,” the Bishop said.

Bishop Seraphim noted that the exact timing of the completion is difficult to predict.

“During the tsar days, it used to take 20 years to finish the building. Now modern technologies allow to do it much faster,” he said.

Bishop Seraphim reminded that the construction of the cathedral is implemented at the expense of charitable contributions, so the pace of construction will largely depend on the generosity of sponsors and contributions of parishioners.

“My job is to look for more interested people, sponsors, in order to get more investments. For example, I would not want the parishioners to enter the temple with rough walls, as it often happens in some parish churches, where scaffolding has not yet been dismantled, but divine services are held. This creates the effect of an unfinished building,” the Bishop pointed out.

Answering the question whether or not Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia Kirill is to visit Penza, Bishop Seraphim said that such a visit is planned.

“Of course, His Holiness can come to Penza when he is invited by the governor and the archbishop,” he said.