Commemorative Cathedral

I read that the Russians have nearly finished building a no expense spared cathedral in a Russian revival style outside Moscow, that is to say the Resurrection of Christ Cathedral in Patriot Park. I think the idea is that it should be finished in time for the 75th anniversary of the end of the Great Patriotic War, although this snap turned up by Google suggests that there is a bit to do yet.

I remember once reading that Soviet shock troops used to advance across the welter and waste screaming something like: "For the Motherland! For the Party! For Stalin!". A litany which, sadly, was apt to be cut short before reaching the German lines. Perhaps with something by Shostakovich blasting out in the background. Perhaps in this new cathedral there will be another litany: "For God! For Holy Mother Russia! For Stalin! For Putin!" - this despite the fact that plenty of Russians alive now grew up at a time when there was no God. And when Stalin was known by many to have been a truly terrible man, even if he did win the terrible war for them - and for us.

We should be thankful that we got off lightly with Blair's big tent.

Reference 1: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Main_Cathedral_of_the_Russian_Armed_Forces.

Reference 2: https://hram.mil.ru/. The official website - including some impressive pictures. Including a lot of a war memorial variety - some of which bring to mind the Vietnam Veterans Memorial (Wall) in Washington D.C.

Reference 3: https://psmv3.blogspot.com/2018/08/angel-of-north.html. A more modest act of (Roman) piety from the Poles next door.

Reference 4: https://psmv4.blogspot.com/2019/03/the-great-patriotic-war.html. For a rather different sort of memorial from the Great Patriotic War.

Reference 5: https://psmv4.blogspot.com/2020/03/cups-and-crosses.html. Concerning the immunity of holy acts and holy articles.