The State Hermitage Museum Writes to Inform You

January 21st 2013. In view of the large amount of commentary on the proposal of Deputy Milonov, the State Hermitage Museum reminds readers that such letters arrive at the State Hermitage Museum every year. The Hermitage has published its reply to Deputy Milonov.

Mr. Deputy Milonov,
Thank you for your letter on 16.01.13. I consider conducting the general prayer meeting of all representatives of the Christian confessions of Saint Petersburg in the Winter Palace inappropriate and untimely.

It would not be in accordance with the museum's policy. The State Hermitage Museum only organizes events on its own premises independently. We have a system for the gradual creation is a system of solemn ceremonies that correspond to the spirit of the Winter Palace. The most recent was a military parade and moleben in the Field Marshal's Hall on the day when the enemy was driven out of the fatherland on December 25th. A ceremony of February 10th would be a poor combination with that one, since after 1905 Emperor Nicholas II and his family did not live in the Winter Palace.

After the completion of the currently ongoing restoration of the Grand Church of the Winter Palace, the State Hermitage Museum intends to make it a memorial to the Romanov family, dedicated to their personal lives and piety.

We receive proposals like yours every year, and, as a rule, they are conducted outside the palace premises in one way or another.

M. B.Piotrovsky
General Director
The State Hermitage Museum