The Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Moscow opened its doors to visitors for the “Night of Museums”, a nationwide event held in the Russian Federation on 16 May. The news was reported by the Archdiocese’s website. This year’s programme offered visitors a chance to watch a short film on the history of the site and on the cathedral’s construction and restoration. Moreover, there was a chance to “listen to the extraordinary sounds of the historic organ”, one of the largest in the country, played by the cathedral’s principal organist Anna Vetlugina. A group of parish volunteers was on hand to answer questions from visitors “ranging from the church’s interior decorations to religious matters”.

The parish priest, Fr Dmitry Novoseletsky, was also present to welcome the visitors. This event shows the visitors’ great interest in the cathedral, which is “a unique example of neo-Gothic architecture in Moscow and a cultural heritage site of federal significance”, the Archdiocese reported. The cathedral will also be the venue for the “Mass of Thanksgiving” that will be held on Saturday 30 May to mark the conclusion of Archbishop Paolo Pezzi’s pastoral ministry as Metropolitan of the Archdiocese of the Mother of God in Moscow.