President Putin looked at the monastery’s interior and visited the Cathedral of the Nativity of the Most Holy Mother of God. In the monastery refectory, to celebrate Christmas, boys from the children’s home performed a short interpretation of some Gospel scenes.
After the performance, the President drank tea with the boys and asked them about how they lived, relaxed, studied and what sports they played.
The President also talked with clergymen about their relationship with staff of the Zvenigorod Museum of Architecture and the Arts located on the monastery premises. He was told that in 2005 the museum would be moved outside monastery walls and a building would be constructed specially for it. To that President Putin remarked: “We should not rob Peter to pay Paul.” Relations between two economic units, he said, should be regulated fairly and equitably, with no artificial barriers between them.
One of the clergy explained that monastery buildings were now being turned over in stages to the Russian Orthodox Church. He said everything was done in good faith and mutual respect. The monastery was to keep only those exhibits from the museum’s collection that “reflect cloister life”.
The President gave the boys and clergymen season’s greetings, wished them all the best, and gave two personal computers to the home.
The President made a brief entry in the monastery visitors’ book, writing: “With gratitude and hope. Vladimir Putin”.