Faithful Reproduction

To explore some of the history and controversy surrounding the resurrection of Christ the Savior Cathedral in Moscow, Russian Life Editor Mikhail Ivanov sat down with Professor William Brumfield. Dr. Brumfield is a frequent contributor to Russian Life magazine, and widely recognized as one of the foremost international experts on Russian architecture.

Russian Life: The official, final consecration of the resurrected Christ the Savior Cathedral in Moscow this August, among other things, is supposed to bring an end to all the heated discussions around Moscow’s need for such a cathedral. And yet, visitors, politicians and architectural experts alike keep arguing. Some say this was a purely political project, meant to raise the credentials of Moscow Mayor Yuri Luzhkov; some say the church is a “feast amidst the plague,” meaning that the money could have been better spent on other, more urgent things. What is your take on the subject?