Svetlana Medvedeva reviewed the progress in the Naval Cathedral restoration and took part in clearing frescoes on the cathedral’s walls.
In addition, the First Lady, together with Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia, toured an exhibition of children’s drawings dedicated to the Naval Cathedral. The young artists presented Svetlana Medvedeva with hand-made birch bark albums. The First Lady gave the children books and souvenirs.
Svetlana Medvedeva also wished the Patriarch a happy birthday and thanked him for his direct involvement in and spiritual support for the restoration of the cathedral. On behalf of the Naval Cathedral’s Public Supervisory Board, the First Lady presented the Patriarch with an icon of St John of Kronstadt.
At the meeting of the Public Supervisory Board Svetlana Medvedeva noted that the Kronstadt Naval Cathedral must be revived as a spiritual centre and a Navy museum and memorial complex. The First Lady expressed her confidence that the cathedral’s restoration will be completed as scheduled by its centenary celebration in 2013.
In addition, the First Lady stressed the importance of not only restoring the unique face of the Naval Cathedral but also of reviving the museum and memorial complex in the cathedral. In the past, the museum had a collection of naval relics and memorial plaques immortalising the names of naval heroes.
Svetlana Medvedeva said the transfer of the legendary Varyag cruiser flag to the museum for safekeeping can be rightly considered the first step in such a return to tradition. On November 11, 2010 during the official visit of the Russian President to South Korea, the Varyag cruiser flag was transferred to Russia by the authorities of the South Korean city of Incheon in the presence of Dmitry Medvedev.
After the meeting of the Public Supervisory Board, Svetlana Medvedeva and Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia visited the museum of St John of Kronstadt. The First Lady and the Patriarch laid flowers at the monument to St John of Kronstadt and toured the museum.