Shaimiev appeal to remember John Paul II returning respected icon to Russia

Head of Tatarstan Mintimer Shaimiev appealed to remember that Pope John Paul II decided to return the respected icon of Kazan Mother of God from Vatican to Russia.

In his interview to IA “Interfax-Volga region" M. Shaimiev noted that during the preparation stage of returning the icon that was kept in the Pontiff’s apartments the delegation of Tatarstan was received in Vatican. "It is remarkable that being a very busy person the Pontiff found time to meet with our delegation. He said that he would like to make this good thing during his life and personally return the Orthodox relic to the Russian Christians", M. Shaimiev said. He went on to say that he did not doubt the sincerity of the Pontiff's words. "Unfortunately, then various judgments appeared in mass-media saying that the Pope intended to settle down disagreements between the Roman Catholic and Russian Orthodox Churches. But I am convinced that it was Pope John Paul II’s personal desire to make this noble act and return the relic to Russia without any conditions", the Tatarstan leader said.

The icon of Kazan Virgin, after being stored for a long time in Vatican, was officially handed to Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia Aleksy II on August 30, 2004. It was brought on behalf of the Pope by Cardinal Walter Kasper.

This icon, according to Russian experts, is one of the copies of the wonder-working Kazan icon found in the 16th century and that helped to free Moscow from the Polish intervention. For many years, the icon was in private property somewhere in the United States. The Orthodox believers wanted to buy it but they did not have enough means, and the relic was purchased by a Catholic organisation.