Russians are paying respect to the country's first president Boris Yeltsin in the Christ the Savior Cathedral.
Photo: Sergey Mikheev
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Russia Pays Respect to Boris Yeltsin
Those willing to pay last respect to Russia’s First President Boris Yeltsin had been queuing around the Christ the Savior Cathedral all night long. The turnout narrowed early morning, but the number has grown anew once the metro opened in Moscow. More than 20,000 have come already to pay last tribute to former president.
Several hundreds attend the funeral service that Patriarchy Vicar Archbishop Arseny is holding in the Christ the Savior Cathedral, Rossia TV Channel reported.
The parting ceremony is due to last till 12:30 a.m. MSK. After it, the Christ the Savior Cathedral will host official establishment and envoys of foreign states. The U.S. former presidents George Bush Senior and Bill Clinton are also expected. Ukrainian Prime Minister Viktor Yanukovich will come as well.
The Fed Council put off today’s sitting till Friday, as all senators are willing to pay their respect to Yeltsin. State Duma’s deputies didn’t cancel the meeting. But a break will be announced in the afternoon so that the lower house could go to the cathedral.
Metropolitans of Russian Orthodox Church will hold burial service. Breaking the Soviet traditions, Boris Yeltsin will lay to rest at the Novodevichie cemetery instead of the Red Square. President Vladimir Putin declared April 25 the day of national mourning in Russia.
www.kommersant.com
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