Russian Orthodox Church Unveils Electronic Database for Preservation of Architectural Heritage

OCP News Service – 29/11/2023

Moscow – Russia: In accordance with the directive of His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia, a groundbreaking initiative has been launched under the project “Diocesan Ancient Guardian: Register of Monuments of Church Architecture.” Developed with the support of the Presidential Grants Fund, the Patriarchal Council for Culture, and the Foundation for Promoting the Preservation of Christian Values, the project has yielded an electronic intra-church register of architectural monuments within the Russian Orthodox Church.

Public version of the registry

This electronic database is designed to encompass a comprehensive inventory of monuments, buildings, and structures of historical and artistic significance, spanning over 50 years. The register covers properties either owned by the Russian Orthodox Church or historically associated with it, even if they are currently in a different status. Notably, it also includes information on damaged, ruined, or inactive churches.

The continuously updated register currently boasts approximately 14,000 entries, providing a detailed record of the cultural and historical heritage of the Russian Orthodox Church. The software features two levels of access – general and administrative – allowing for the addition of new objects, as well as the editing and storage of historical changes.

Throughout the project’s implementation, diocesan archivists and responsible employees meticulously updated information to reflect the current state of the monuments, adhering to the specified registry columns. This effort has resulted in the creation of a powerful tool for storing and retrieving information about architectural monuments, contributing to the broader cultural heritage database managed by the Ministry of Culture of the Russian Federation.

The register includes essential details such as whether a particular object has been transferred to the Church, the frequency of religious services, and the current state of the structure. For inactive, emergency, or ruined churches, the register specifies the parish or monastery responsible for the care of each monument of church architecture.

The implementation of this electronic register is expected to streamline decision-making processes regarding the restoration and conservation of church architectural monuments. It marks a significant step toward preserving the rich cultural heritage of the Russian Orthodox Church on both a local diocesan and national level.

Source:

OCP News Service