Peresopnytsia Gospel museum complex not to be consecrated

The museum and cultural center of the Peresopnytsia Gospel, which is to be opened on August 29 in Rivne, in western Ukraine, will not be consecrated to avoid tension between believers, the head of Rivne Regional State Administration, Vasyl Bertash, and his deputy, Oleksii Hubanov, said at a press conference, Unian.net reports.

According to the officials, the residents of the region argue with each other as to what religious denomination should consecrate the newly built museum complex.

“Of course, the museum like any other building, a railway station, nuclear power plant, according to our traditions, should be consecrated. However, it is not included in the program of the celebration. For everyone understands that it will cause tension. If all denominations could come together, we would gladly allow even Buddhists to consecrate it. But to avoid a conflict, everything will be done later,” said Hubanov.

Another argument of the authorities not to consecrate the complex is that the Peresopnytsia Gospel, allegedly, is not a monument of Ukrainian spirituality, language and book printing art, but just a historic artifact.