Russian memory: a chapel in commemoration of GULAG prisoners raised in Kuznetsk Basin

According to the regional administration press service, on August 17 Kemerov and Novokuznetsk bishop Aristarchus consecrated the chapel built in Chugunash village in memory of GULAG prisoners.

Head of the region Aman Tuleev emphasized that the church is to honor the memory and respect all those who died during the construction of Novokuznetsk-Tashtagol railroad.

‘I once worked in this place and know for sure that during the construction of the road in 1930s there had been placed more bones than sleepers here, - said Kemerov region governor.

Stone chapel was sanctified in honor of saint martyr George Averin shot in 1937 for his ‘religious propaganda among prisoners’ and buried in Temirtau village. He was canonized on August 20, 2000.

The church was raised in one year in accordance with Victor Usoltsev’s, Kuznetsk Basin architect, project. The height of the building decorated with a dome on a high spire is 27 meters. The chapel can seat up to 50 parishioners. 350 cedars have been planted in the territory around the chapel.