A chapel to be constructed at Zvezdochka shipyard

03.05.2011 Arkhangelsk bishop Daniil paid familiarization visit to the Russia's largest defense ship-repair plant Zvezdochka (Severodvinsk, Arkhangelsk region).

The Right Reverend was accompanied by Director General of JSC Zvezdochka Ship-Repair Center Vladimir Nikitin, commanding officer of nuclear submarine Voronezh (Project 949A Antei) Capt 1 rank Vladimir Zhurov, White Sea Naval Base Commander Capt 1 rank Viktor Liina, and Severodvinsk deputy mayor Viktor Mosharev.

Appearing at the crew of SSGN Voronezh which undergoes interim overhaul at Zvezdochka, bishop Daniil said he was very proud that the submarine bears the name of his native town.

"I wish this submarine – same as all Russian warships – to serve for a long time, and her crew always be assisted both by God and carnal powers. I wish your families, children, and grandchildren would never be forgotten. Because what you do inspires people's utmost respect and love. You are the ones of few capable to protect our Motherland sparing neither forces nor lives in this hard time. I sincerely thank you and bow in respect", told the bishop to submariners.

The churchman blessed the crew and presented an icon of the God Almighty to the sub's commander.

"This icon was painted in Greece, the orthodox country which has always prayed for our Holy Russia to protect its frontiers and faith. I wish God always helps you to bear this heavy cross in the name of our homeland. According to theology, God's help to a human is called synergy, i.e. co-working, co-operation. One can't go without another; God won't do anything without us. To protect our state, to raise children, to pray in churches… Neither can we go without God. Only unity and synergy with God can bring fruits of faith, hope, and love", emphasized bishop Daniil.

Then the sub's commanding officer Capt 1 rank Vladimir Zhurov guided the churchman over SSGN Voronezh. They visited central station, compartments, and social rooms. The submariner's initiation ceremony was conducted in the central station; bishop Daniil drank off a bowl of seawater. In remembrance of this event, the sub's CO gifted to the churchman a traditional "submariner's ration" – chocolate bar and a sun-dried roach – and a crewmember's badge of SSGN Voronezh.

After the visit to the submarine, bishop Daniil inspected the site of the future chapel which will be constructed in honor of mariners' patron, Saint Warrior Feodor Ushakov at Zvezdochka's quay. Vladimir Nikitin and Capt 1 rank Viktor Liina presented the chapel's project to the bishop and asked for benediction. According to them, construction of a chapel at the defense shipyard would be a revival of historical tradition of Russian Navy's spiritual gratification by the Orthodox Church. It is planned to make prayer services before each cruise of a submarine and memorial services over lost submariners.

Bishop Daniil blessed the good undertaking of the shipwrights and made some proposals as of the chapel's design with regard for Sakhalin's church-building experience on the Pacific coast. In the end of the visit the bishop attended the Zvezdochka's museum. Its director Vasily Kologreyev told about the shipyard's history, its achievements, and future prospects.