Russian scholars have urged Culture Minister Olga Lyubimova not to transfer the ancient Trinity icon by medieval painter Andrei Rublev from Moscow's state-run Tretyakov Gallery Arts Museum to the Russian Orthodox Church's premises, saying the historic artifact will be damaged by the change in microclimate and vibrations during the process. The letter from experts of the Russian Academy of Sciences was made public on May 24, nine days after President Vladimir Putin ordered the museum to hand over the icon to the Orthodox Church. Last year, the museum's curators said the icon was damaged in 61 places when it was used at a religious event. To read the original story by RFE/RL's Russian Service, click here.
Russian Scholars Say Ancient Icon Will Be Damaged If Transferred To Orthodox Church
Believers pray in front of Andrei Rublev's 15th-century Trinity icon.