The names of all those who make a donation to the building of the Church of the Icon of the Smolensk Mother of God will be included in the memorial, inscribed on the bricks of the church’s inner walls. Contributions can be made on behalf of the donor, a friend or relative, or in memory of a loved one.

As pastor of the church Father Daniel Vasilevski remarked, building churches has never been a private business. On the contrary, every Christian believer would endeavour to make what contribution they could towards construction. “Every day at worship, we pray to God for ‘the founders of this holy church’. While the church stands, this prayer will be offered up.”

Restoration of the Church of the Smolensk Mother of God Icon at Pulkovo, which was originally built in the 18th and 19th centuries according to architect Giacomo Quarenghi’s design and then destroyed during World War II, began in 2011 based on the original architectural plans and archive photos. The decision to restore the church was taken after the remains of the historic church’s foundations were discovered during construction work on the site of the new ExpoForum Convention and Exhibition Centre.

Donations can be made until June 2013, while the bricks of the church are being laid. Every contributor, regardless of the size of their donation, will receive a souvenir certificate. Construction is scheduled for completion by the end of 2013.