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Russian Military's Cathedral Consecrated Without Mosaic Featuring Putin

Russian servicemen attend the opening ceremony of the cathedral on June 14.
1/14 Russian servicemen attend the opening ceremony of the cathedral on June 14.
On June 14, Russia's new Cathedral of the Russian Armed Forces was consecrated at a ceremony outside Moscow. The cathedral and adjacent museum were built in Patriot Park, a military-themed complex 60 kilometers outside Moscow, to mark the 75th anniversary of the victory in World War II.
Russian Orthodox Church Patriarch Kirill (center) takes part in the consecration ceremony. The cathedral was built in just under 600 days and was opened on May 9.&nbsp;​The church was supposed to be paid for entirely through donations, but according to Russian reports almost 3 billion rubles (about $40 million) came from the Kremlin&#39;s budget.<br /> &nbsp;
2/14 Russian Orthodox Church Patriarch Kirill (center) takes part in the consecration ceremony. The cathedral was built in just under 600 days and was opened on May 9. ​The church was supposed to be paid for entirely through donations, but according to Russian reports almost 3 billion rubles (about $40 million) came from the Kremlin's budget.
 
On June 14, Russia's new Cathedral of the Russian Armed Forces was consecrated at a ceremony outside Moscow. The cathedral and adjacent museum were built in Patriot Park, a military-themed complex 60 kilometers outside Moscow, to mark the 75th anniversary of the victory in World War II.
3/14
On June 14, Russia's new Cathedral of the Russian Armed Forces was consecrated at a ceremony outside Moscow. The cathedral and adjacent museum were built in Patriot Park, a military-themed complex 60 kilometers outside Moscow, to mark the 75th anniversary of the victory in World War II.
Also in attendance at the cathedral, which is situated in the town of Kubinka, was presidential aide and former culture minister, Vladimir Medinsky (right).
4/14 Also in attendance at the cathedral, which is situated in the town of Kubinka, was presidential aide and former culture minister, Vladimir Medinsky (right).
On June 14, Russia's new Cathedral of the Russian Armed Forces was consecrated at a ceremony outside Moscow. The cathedral and adjacent museum were built in Patriot Park, a military-themed complex 60 kilometers outside Moscow, to mark the 75th anniversary of the victory in World War II.
A mosaic on the wall of the cathedral. Earlier this year, leaked photos showed a partially completed mosaic featuring Russian President Vladimir Putin, Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu, and several other Russian officials. The mosaic, along with another depicting soldiers holding a portrait of Stalin, was subsequently removed from the cathedral. &nbsp;
5/14 A mosaic on the wall of the cathedral. Earlier this year, leaked photos showed a partially completed mosaic featuring Russian President Vladimir Putin, Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu, and several other Russian officials. The mosaic, along with another depicting soldiers holding a portrait of Stalin, was subsequently removed from the cathedral.  
On June 14, Russia's new Cathedral of the Russian Armed Forces was consecrated at a ceremony outside Moscow. The cathedral and adjacent museum were built in Patriot Park, a military-themed complex 60 kilometers outside Moscow, to mark the 75th anniversary of the victory in World War II.
Russian Defense Minister Shoigu attends the ceremony at the cathedral.
6/14 Russian Defense Minister Shoigu attends the ceremony at the cathedral.
On June 14, Russia's new Cathedral of the Russian Armed Forces was consecrated at a ceremony outside Moscow. The cathedral and adjacent museum were built in Patriot Park, a military-themed complex 60 kilometers outside Moscow, to mark the 75th anniversary of the victory in World War II.
7/14
On June 14, Russia's new Cathedral of the Russian Armed Forces was consecrated at a ceremony outside Moscow. The cathedral and adjacent museum were built in Patriot Park, a military-themed complex 60 kilometers outside Moscow, to mark the 75th anniversary of the victory in World War II.
Patriarch Kirill (second left) leads the service at the cathedral.
8/14 Patriarch Kirill (second left) leads the service at the cathedral.
On June 14, Russia's new Cathedral of the Russian Armed Forces was consecrated at a ceremony outside Moscow. The cathedral and adjacent museum were built in Patriot Park, a military-themed complex 60 kilometers outside Moscow, to mark the 75th anniversary of the victory in World War II.
The height of the cathedral&#39;s belfry -- 75 meters -- marks the&nbsp;​75th anniversary of the Soviet Union&#39;s defeat of Nazi Germany.
9/14 The height of the cathedral's belfry -- 75 meters -- marks the ​75th anniversary of the Soviet Union's defeat of Nazi Germany.
On June 14, Russia's new Cathedral of the Russian Armed Forces was consecrated at a ceremony outside Moscow. The cathedral and adjacent museum were built in Patriot Park, a military-themed complex 60 kilometers outside Moscow, to mark the 75th anniversary of the victory in World War II.
Russia&#39;s land forces commander, Army General Oleg Salyukov (left),&nbsp;and Deputy Defense Minister Tatyana Shevtsova attend the ceremony.
10/14 Russia's land forces commander, Army General Oleg Salyukov (left), and Deputy Defense Minister Tatyana Shevtsova attend the ceremony.
On June 14, Russia's new Cathedral of the Russian Armed Forces was consecrated at a ceremony outside Moscow. The cathedral and adjacent museum were built in Patriot Park, a military-themed complex 60 kilometers outside Moscow, to mark the 75th anniversary of the victory in World War II.
A choir singing at the ceremony.
11/14 A choir singing at the ceremony.
On June 14, Russia's new Cathedral of the Russian Armed Forces was consecrated at a ceremony outside Moscow. The cathedral and adjacent museum were built in Patriot Park, a military-themed complex 60 kilometers outside Moscow, to mark the 75th anniversary of the victory in World War II.
12/14
On June 14, Russia's new Cathedral of the Russian Armed Forces was consecrated at a ceremony outside Moscow. The cathedral and adjacent museum were built in Patriot Park, a military-themed complex 60 kilometers outside Moscow, to mark the 75th anniversary of the victory in World War II.
Defense Minister Shoigu (center) bows in front of a religious icon.
13/14 Defense Minister Shoigu (center) bows in front of a religious icon.
On June 14, Russia's new Cathedral of the Russian Armed Forces was consecrated at a ceremony outside Moscow. The cathedral and adjacent museum were built in Patriot Park, a military-themed complex 60 kilometers outside Moscow, to mark the 75th anniversary of the victory in World War II.
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On June 14, Russia's new Cathedral of the Russian Armed Forces was consecrated at a ceremony outside Moscow. The cathedral and adjacent museum were built in Patriot Park, a military-themed complex 60 kilometers outside Moscow, to mark the 75th anniversary of the victory in World War II.
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Russian Orthodox Patriarch Kirill has consecrated the main cathedral dedicated to the armed forces, built to mark Victory Day in celebration of the 75th anniversary of the end of World War II in Europe.

Religious leaders, Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu, his deputies, guests, and hundreds of uniformed soldiers attended the ceremony on June 14 at the newly constructed Cathedral of the Russian Armed Forces, located some 60 kilometers outside of Moscow.

The church was originally due to be opened on May 9 as part of a grand celebration to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the defeat of Nazi Germany. But the opening was postponed due to the deadly coronavirus pandemic.

The massive cathedral, one of the largest in the world, sparked controversy earlier this year when leaked photos showed a partially completed mosaic featuring Russian President Vladimir Putin, Defense Minister Shoigu, General Valery Gerasimov, and several other Russian officials.

The plan to display the mosaic was later canceled following criticism and after the Kremlin leader reportedly expressed opposition to the idea.

"This is an unprecedented event for the soldiers and for all of the the citizens in the whole country," Gerasimov, the current chief of the General Staff of the armed forces, said ahead of the event.

The construction of the church cost 6 billion rubles (about $86 million), according to media reports.

The church was supposed to be paid for entirely through donations, but according to Russian reports almost 3 billion rubles (about $40 million) came from the Kremlin budget.

With reporting by dpa
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