The Russian Academy Of Arts

On September 24, 2008 with the blessing of Alexi II, Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia and Ignatius IV, Patriarch of Antioch and All the East, the 3m tall sculpture of Christ the Savior will be presented as a gift from Russian people to the monastery of St. Thecla in Maaloula, the most important Christian site in Syria. The bronze sculpture has been designed by Alexander Rukavishnikov, People’s Artist of Russia, Full Member of the Russian Academy of Arts.

There is another monument by Alexander Rukavishnikov on the Syrian land. Unveiled in May, 2005 within the days of Russian spiritual culture in Syria, the 5m tall figure of Apostle Paul stands in the town of Kawkab not far from Damascus in the immediate vicinity of the cathedral constructed in the 1960s due to the efforts of  Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia Alexi I.

This monument to be unveiled in the Near East is conceived to call people of all creeds and nationalities to peace and consent and contribute to better understanding of Russia.

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