Southern Russian hospitals to display Orthodox icons
| Publisher | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty |
| Publication Date | 24 June 2009 |
| Cite as | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, Southern Russian hospitals to display Orthodox icons, 24 June 2009, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/4a49fd4628.html [accessed 21 May 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
June 24, 2009
ASTRAKHAN, Russia – Two large maternity hospitals in the southern Russian city of Astrakhan will soon display Russian Orthodox icons of the Virgin Mary, RFE/RL's Tatar-Bashkir Service reports.
The icons are to be unveiled in a ceremony scheduled for June 29.
In addition, all patients in maternity hospitals and prenatal clinics in Astrakhan will be given small versions of the icon for free.
The initiative was organized by the Russian Orthodox Church and has provoked controversy, since 20 percent of the population of Astrakhan is Muslim, mainly ethnic Kazakhs and Tatars.
Link to original story on RFE/RL website
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