Over 100 new churches have been opened in Moscow in 2007

From Interfax:

2007-12-24

Over 100 new churches have been opened in Moscow in 2007

Moscow, December 24, Interfax – Over 100 Orthodox churches have been opened in Moscow for the recent year.

According to statistics, cited by Patriarch Alexy II of Moscow and All Russia at a diocesan meeting of Moscow clergy on Monday, there are 851 churches and chapels in the Russian capital including seven Kremlin churches and two cathedrals whereas there were only 730 of them in 2006.

Nowadays, divine services are conducted in 725 Moscow churches, 25 churches are still occupied by former holders, while services are not resumed in 15 churches. The number of clergymen in the capital equals to 1770.

On the whole, the Russian Orthodox Church has 142 dioceses, 732 monasteries (219 friaries and 240 nunneries in Russia, 128 friaries and 139 nunneries in the CIS countries, three friaries and three nunneries in Russia’s far abroad countries) 196 representations, 56 hermitages, 27 942 parishes, 10 141 Sunday schools, five theological academies, three Orthodox universities, two theological institutes, 38 theological seminaries and 39 theological colleges. The number of clergymen totals to 29 751, including 193 hierarchs.