Russian Orthodox Church Says ‘No’ to 260-Foot Statue of Christ

After being rejected by Sochi, artist Zurab Tsereteli’s statue of Jesus Christ was turned down by the St. Petersburg Diocese of the Russian Orthodox Church. “Installing this type of gigantic statue is not Orthodox tradition,” said a spokesperson from the dioceses to RIA Novisti. The statue was cast in a factory in St. Petersburg in 2013 and has yet to find a permanent location.

“As an option, he can of course be placed somewhere beyond Kronshtadt,” the spokesperson said, naming an island near St. Petersburg; “in the sea, on some island or fort to serve as a lighthouse.”

However, no official decision in regards to the statue has been made by the city or diocese

Plans to install a 79-foot statue of Vladimir the Great in the center of Moscow were rejected by the capital last year after tens of thousands of Russians signed a petition. The proposed location would have made the sword-and-cross wielding saint visible from most parts of the city. A more modest version of the statue is due to be installed in a different part of the city this year.