In Velikiye Luki, the construction of the Church of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary near the Kolomna cemetery is nearing completion. The temple is being built on the historical site where the stone Assumption Cathedral used to stand. This was announced by the head of the city Nikolai Kozlovsky in his video message posted on the page on the VKontakte social network.
"The beginning of this important work was laid in 2016, when it was decided to restore the shrine. The project received the support of the city government, and construction was started," the mayor said.
According to him, the main construction stages have already been completed. Now the contractor is engaged in internal work, the landscaping of the entrance group has been completed, engineering communications have been brought in and put into operation, and the bell tower is fully functional. Preparations are underway for the heating of the church, after which all internal work will be completed.
"The temple is being built by joint efforts — in the best traditions of Russian Orthodoxy. The residents of the city, enterprises and entrepreneurs, our countrymen living in other cities of Russia make their contribution," the head of Velikiye Luki emphasized. He also noted that the construction and arrangement of the shrine is carried out under the leadership of Bishop Barnabas of Velikiye Luki and Nevelsky.
On his initiative, a commission on church art and architecture was created, which included experts from Moscow, St. Petersburg, Pskov and Velikiye Luki. Currently, the organization of the temple space is being considered, the iconostasis is being prepared, and church utensils have been purchased. "The clergy plan to start worship services in the church this year," Nikolai Kozlovsky said.
Special attention is also paid to the territory of the Kolomna cemetery, founded in 1774. In 2025, the year of the 850th anniversary of Velikiye Luki, the cemetery was recognized as an object of cultural heritage of regional significance. The city government plans to develop design and estimate documentation for the improvement of this territory by the end of 2026 for further participation in regional and federal programs.