Russia just opened a massive cathedral in honor of its armed forces, with steps rumored to be made from melted Nazi tanks

Mia JankowiczJun 28, 2020, 17:15 IST

An aerial view of the Main Cathedral of the Russian Armed Forces during its construction outside Moscow, Russia April 28, 2020.Denis Voronin/Moscow News Agency/Handout via Reuters

Russia has just opened a massive cathedral in honor of its military, a major project favored by President Vladimir Putin.
The cathedral serves the Russian Orthodox faith. Its military connection is no coincidence.
Putin has made the glorification of the military a major part of his appeal to Russian voters throughout his 20-year leadership.
The opening of the cathedral overlaps with a referendum that could see Putin remain as president until 2036.
When the project was announced, Russia's defense minister promised the steps would be poured from "German trophy hardware" — rumored to be a reference to melted-down Nazi tanks.
The building is filled with symbolism in honor of Russia's military history — but also caused controversy with a planned mosaic of Putin that was ultimately canceled.

Russia has just built a huge cathedral in honor of its military to commemorate 75 years since the end of WWII.

The Main Cathedral of the Russian Armed Forces, June 14, 2020. Igor Palkin/Patriarchal Press Service/Handout via Reuters

The cathedral is about 34 miles west of Moscow in a complex called Patriot Park.

A map showing the location of the cathedral. Google Maps/Business Insider

It was built in just under 600 days, but was slightly delayed due to the coronavirus pandemic.

An aerial view shows the cathedral during construction works in April 28, 2020. Denis Voronin/Moscow News Agency/Handout via

The building is said to have cost $82 million. The cathedral says around half of this came from donations.

An aerial view shows the cathedral under construction on April 28, 2020. Denis Voronin/Moscow News Agency/Handout via Reuters

The cathedral was consecrated on June 14 with a large-scale military and religious ceremony.

Russian Army servicemen march during a service to consecrate the cathedral on June 14, 2020. Igor Palkin/Patriarchal Press Service/Handout via Reuters

The cathedral serves the Russian Orthodox faith, the most widespread religion in the country.

Workers in the cathedral under construction. Anton Novoderezhkin/TASS via Getty Images

Here is an interior view of the construction work inside the cathedral.

An interior view of the cathedral under construction in April. Sergei Kiselyov/Moscow News Agency/Handout via Reuters

Patriarch Kirill — the Russian Orthodox Church's supreme leader — led the consecration.

Patriarch Kirill leads a service consecration of the cathedral on June 14, 2020. Igor Palkin/Patriarchal Press Service/Handout via Reuters

Here's another scene from the consecration, featuring a massive mosaic of the Virgin Mary and child.

Patriarch Kirill leads the consecration. Sergei Vlasov/Patriarchal Press Service/Handout via Reuters

This is an important project for Putin, who visited on June 22 — three days before Russians set out to vote on major constitutional reforms that will likely consolidate his power.

Russia's President Vladimir Putin and Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu visit the cathedral on June 22, 2020. Sputnik/Alexei Nikolsky/Kremlin via Reuters

This is an important project for Putin, who visited on June 22 — three days before Russians set out to vote on major constitutional reforms that will likely consolidate his power.

The constitutional reforms could potentially see Putin remain leader until 2036.

Putin, Shoigu and Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia visit the cathedral on June 22, 2020. Sputnik/Alexei Nikolsky/Kremlin via Reuters

Some religious figures have condemned the mixing of religion and military.

Army officers attending the consecration. Russian Defence Ministry/Moscow News Agency/Handout via Reuters

The cathedral became mired in controversy in late April when pictures emerged of a mosaic depicting Putin himself adorning the walls.

The Orthodox church defended the mosaic as depicting one of many historical scenes, but ultimately it was cancelled.

A worker stands in front of a half-finished religious mosaic during the cathedral's construction. Anton Novoderezhkin/TASS via Getty Images

The massive cathedral still has numerous symbolic features glorifying Russian history.

General view of the service consecrating the cathedral on June 14, 2020. Igor Palkin/Patriarchal Press Service/Handout via Reuters

On the left is Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu at the consecration. When the project was announced in 2018, he said the steps would be made from "German trophy hardware," according to The Times.

Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu attends the consecration. Igor Palkin/Patriarchal Press Service/Handout via Reuters

On the left is Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu at the consecration. When the project was announced in 2018, he said the steps would be made from "German trophy hardware," according to The Times.

Metals feature heavily throughout the building's construction, such these doors.

A worker at the doors of the construction site. Anton Novoderezhkin/TASS via Getty Images

Here is a worker helping to install intricate ornamentation to be hung from the ceiling during the cathedral's construction.

A worker in the Russian Armed Forces' main cathedral during its construction. Anton Novoderezhkin/TASS via Getty Images

This mosaic of Christ's face, shown here during construction, is known as the Savior-Not-Made-By-Hands. It adorns the entire underside of the cathedral's biggest dome.

A giant mosaic of the Saviour Not Made by Hands under construction. Anton Novoderezhkin/TASS via Getty Images

Other lavish decorations appear throughout.

A chandelier in the Russian Armed Forces' main cathedral. Anton Novoderezhkin/TASS via Getty Images

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Russia just opened a massive cathedral in honor of its armed forces, with steps rumored to be made from melted Nazi tanks

Russia has just built a huge cathedral in honor of its military to commemorate 75 years since the end of WWII.

The cathedral is about 34 miles west of Moscow in a complex called Patriot Park.

It was built in just under 600 days, but was slightly delayed due to the coronavirus pandemic.

The building is said to have cost $82 million. The cathedral says around half of this came from donations.

The cathedral was consecrated on June 14 with a large-scale military and religious ceremony.

The cathedral serves the Russian Orthodox faith, the most widespread religion in the country.

Here is an interior view of the construction work inside the cathedral.

Patriarch Kirill — the Russian Orthodox Church's supreme leader — led the consecration.

Here's another scene from the consecration, featuring a massive mosaic of the Virgin Mary and child.

This is an important project for Putin, who visited on June 22 — three days before Russians set out to vote on major constitutional reforms that will likely consolidate his power.

The constitutional reforms could potentially see Putin remain leader until 2036.

Some religious figures have condemned the mixing of religion and military.

The cathedral became mired in controversy in late April when pictures emerged of a mosaic depicting Putin himself adorning the walls.

The Orthodox church defended the mosaic as depicting one of many historical scenes, but ultimately it was cancelled.

The massive cathedral still has numerous symbolic features glorifying Russian history.

On the left is Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu at the consecration. When the project was announced in 2018, he said the steps would be made from "German trophy hardware," according to The Times.

Metals feature heavily throughout the building's construction, such these doors.

Here is a worker helping to install intricate ornamentation to be hung from the ceiling during the cathedral's construction.

This mosaic of Christ's face, shown here during construction, is known as the Savior-Not-Made-By-Hands. It adorns the entire underside of the cathedral's biggest dome.

Other lavish decorations appear throughout.