Church of Saint Apostles Peter and Paul to be erected in Botanica

A Church of Saint Apostles Peter and Paul will be erected in Chisinau's Botanica district, alongside a social center for children and disabled people. The first stone of the foundation was laid today, June 12, when Orthodox Christians celebrate St. Peter and Paul, Info-Prim Neo reports. The new house of God will be built near St. Demetrius’ Church, erected in 1890 by Petru Donici. According to churchmen, Petru Donici offered land and money for the construction of a church bearing the name of the two saints. However, the construction was temporarily halted a few years later and those who finished it eventually decided to dedicate it to St. Demetrius. Ilie Tatlu, member of the council monitoring the construction, says that the social center attached to the new church will serve for creating heritage items (paintings, wood carving, embroidery, etc.), which until now were made in the auxiliary rooms of the St. Demetrius Church. The center will offer a daily free meal for the homeless people in the neighborhood. The Church and the social center will be erected with financial support from the Moldovan government, the Chisinau City Hall and from several businessmen. Some companies provided building materials. The works are expected to be completed in two years.