The St. Petersburg State Construction Supervision Authority has granted a permit for the construction of the “Warrior Temple” in Pushkin, signaling the green light for a project that has faced both support and opposition from local residents. The permit, valid for two years from June 6, allows the parish of the Sofia Cathedral in Pushkin to proceed with building the temple at the intersection of Petersburg Highway and Detskoselsky Boulevard.

The project includes the construction of a temple, a bell tower, a refectory, and a parking lot, with plans to organize a memorial alley in honor of participants in the Special Military Operation (SVO). The temple’s prayer hall is designed to accommodate up to 400 people, with additional space for another 100 in other rooms.

The permitted height of the building is 30 meters, and the planned building area is 306 sq. m. Dalpiterstroy LLC is the developer responsible for the project documentation.

Public discussions regarding the temple, dedicated to the defenders of the Fatherland and named after St. George the Victorious, took place in the spring of 2024. The land, previously a green area with an abandoned decorative outdoor pool, was leased to the parish for landscaping.

While supporters like television journalist Valery Tatarov have voiced their backing, citing the need for memorials for new saints, the project has faced criticism from some local residents. Concerns include the potential clash with existing architecture, interference with residents, and a preference for preserving the green space as a square with a restored pool or a war memorial.

Despite these concerns, the administration of the Pushkin district has expressed support for the project, stating that residents back the construction. Before the public discussions, the administration and the Tsarskoye Selo Deanery held an auction to raise funds, with relatives of SVO participants requesting the temple’s construction.

A small chapel was opened on the site of the future construction in May 2024. Critics have appealed to various authorities, including the district administration, prosecutor’s office, and the governor’s office, and collected signatures for collective appeals, suggesting an alternative location for the temple.

The Committee for the Protection of Monuments has approved the temple’s construction, and the permitted construction height on the site has been increased from 12 to 30 meters. A fence has been erected around the site, and earthworks have commenced.