In the French capital, the Russian Orthodox Center of Religion and Culture is celebrating its fifth anniversary. Located on Quai Branly, it includes the Holy Trinity Cathedral of the Russian Orthodox Exarchate in Western Europe, a large concert hall, classrooms, and exhibition space.

"Our center has gained much popularity among those living in Paris," relates Mr. Alexis Meshkov, the Russian Ambassador in France. "I fully agree with the opinion that it has drawn our two countries closer to one another."

The Center Director, Mr. Leonid Kadyshev, says, "Over six hundred events of various kinds have been presented in the Center in the course of the past five years. More then 50,000 people participated in them, in addition to the visitors to exhibitions and the students of the classes we teach here."

The Center in downtown Paris was designed by the famous French architect Jean-Michel Wilmotte. He said that it was the most exciting work he had ever done. The French newspaper La Croix referred to the Russian Cathedral on Quai Branly with its five golden domes as “an impressive  symbol of the return of Orthodoxy to the world arena . . . an unprecedented showcase of Russia in the West.”