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Over 200,000 Muscovites, guests able to venerate Cross of St Andrew the Apostle in Moscow

All conditions were created to allow believers to venerate the shrine

Photo ITAR-TASS / Alexandra Mudrats

Photo ITAR-TASS / Alexandra Mudrats

MOSCOW, July 26 (Itar-Tass) - Over 200,000 Muscovites and the guests will be able to venerate the Orthodox shrine - the Cross of St Andrew the Apostle at the Christ the Saviour Cathedral from July 19 to July 25, acting head of the Moscow Department for Inter-regional Cooperation Yuri Artyukh said.

All conditions were created to allow believers to venerate the shrine. “The conditions were created for the stay of pilgrims. When it rained people could recover in buses to drink some water and address for medical and psychological assistance if it necessary,” Artyukh said.

“No crime or any offence was registered by police. People, who stood in a queue, were very respectful. They let pass pregnant women and helped each other,” the official said.

Totally, 7,000 policemen and interior troops ensured law and order. Units of the Emergency Situations Ministry, volunteers and social workers, were also involved, Artyukh said.

Acting Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin expressed gratitude to the city official for preparing and holding the celebrations marking the 1025th anniversary of the Baptism of Rus.

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