On January 8, the scaffolding was removed from the Church of the Icon of the Mother of God "Axion Estin" on Bolshoy Prospekt of Vasilievsky Island in St. Petersburg after an extensive restoration, as reported by fontanka.ru.

The church is renowned for serving as a training ground for military divers during the Soviet era. Construction of the Church of the Icon of the Mother of God "Axion Estin" took place from 1889 to 1898. The building was designed in a Byzantine style, and construction progressed slowly, with interior finishing continuing into the early 20th century. In 1932, the church was closed, and the building was transferred to a submarine training unit. Inside, equipment for military diver training was installed, including a 40-meter pipe-pool and a torpedo apparatus, leading to the destruction of the church's luxurious interior.

The gradual revival of the church began in 2006 when its parish was registered, and the first priest was appointed. The Ministry of Defense transferred the building to the Church in 2012. In late 2022, restoration work commenced on the church to adapt the structure for modern use. The restoration involves recreating the roof with gilding, facades, windows, doors, stairs, the interior of the altar, paintings, and the fence. The work is scheduled for completion in 2025.

Interior of the Church of the Icon of the Mother of God "Axion Estin" before restoration, 2013 / patriarchia.ru