Father Alejandro Burgos, who belongs to the Diocese of Valladolid and has been in St. Petersburg for more than fifteen years, has obtained the Vatican's approval to build the first Fatima Shrine in Russia.
Otests Aleksander, as he is known in Russian, has trained in Rome for He is now pastor of a Byzantine rite church in St. Petersburg, Russia, where he is the pastor of a Byzantine rite church. He is now the pastor of a Byzantine rite church in St. Petersburg.
After several years with the illusion of carrying out this project and after registering the parish, the Holy See has given the approval to the construction of the Sanctuary. In the meeting held a few days ago with the eastern catholic bishopsThe current Primate of the Russian Byzantine Catholic Church, Joseph Werth, Bishop of Otests Aleksander, informed the Holy See of this project, which received its approval.
"The Orthodox confessions are not opposed to this project. Many Russians have great devotion to Our Lady of Fatima who was the one who interceded for the conversion of Russia. John Paul II consecrated Russia to Our Lady of Fatima and on May 15, 2017, the Russian bishops consecrated their country also to the icon of Our Lady of Fatima," says Fr. Aleksander.
In fact, Archbishop Hilarion of Volokolamsk, the number two of the Russian Orthodox Patriarchate, has been to Fatima in Portugal, praying to Our Lady, recalls Fr. Burgos, and the Orthodox respect this devotion.
The Shrine to be erected in St. Petersburg will be of Byzantine rite, but not exclusive: all Catholics of the other 23 rites of the Catholic Church could pray there, especially the Latin rite, which is the rite followed by the majority of Catholics in Russia, who number less than 800,000 baptized. Likewise, the Marian pilgrimages organized to the Shrine are open to all people of good will.
Fr. Aleksander is currently in Spain and has met with his bishop, Cardinal Ricardo Blázquez, prelate of Valladolid and president of the Episcopal Conference. Both he and the auxiliary bishop, Luis Argüello, encouraged him to undertake this project.
"I've been told that they will surely support me with the EEC New Evangelization Fund".Burgos announces, "provided the criteria are met. The priest has already thought of a suitable site: some land near lakes in the city of St. Petersburg. The land costs about 700,000 euros.
He is also counting on a woman architect, who has been building Orthodox churches in Russia for ten years. In total, he estimates that this Marian shrine will cost about three million euros.
What is difficult for Otests Aleksander is to buy the land, because once they acquire it, they will build a wooden church. "There we will put the icon and get to work. The shrine will be finished in a few years."
Fr. Burgos studied at the Bidasoa Ecclesiastical College as a seminarian in Valladolid thanks to a scholarship from the Roman Academic Center Foundation (CARF). He then studied at the Pontifical University of the Holy Cross in Rome and later worked in the diocese of Valladolid, which is his home diocese. He was transferred to Russia in 2002 to serve the Catholics of the Latin rite first, and for the last seven years, the Byzantine rite.
The whole project will be directed by Fr. Burgos, through the Icon of Fatima Association, C/Orense 61 Bajo B 28020 Madrid. And for those who want to help in this initiative and want more information, give the data: beliykamen@gmail.comprofile, profile of FACEBOOK:
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CARF supports Fr. Burgos in this initiative.
(With information from Religión Confidencial).
