⛪️ Exploring the Region’s religious heritage: Discovering catholic Nizhny Novgorod The OKA Agency continues to explore the diverse religious communities of the Nizhny Novgorod Region. This time, we visited the Catholic community and spoke with Father Georgy Kromkin, parish priest of the Church of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary. ▫️A Church with a Story to Tell Rather than Gothic spires, this church occupies a former stable on the estate of merchant Mikhail Shchelokov. Revived in the 1990s, the Catholic community transformed the building into a place of worship, consecrated on January 9, 2000. The grounds feature a charming Italian-style courtyard — a peaceful oasis in the heart of the city. Every detail reflects the care and dedication of the parishioners. A special highlight is a Vatican mosaic presented by Pope Francis in 2017, symbolising the parish’s connection with the Holy See. ▫️A Living Community Although the present-day parish was registered in 1994, its history dates back further. A Catholic church was consecrated on Studyonaya Street in 1915, but during the Soviet era it was closed and converted into an administrative building. After decades of disruption, the community was eventually revived. Today, the parish hosts Masses, Sunday classes, organ concerts, and educational events. It also supports charitable initiatives and interfaith projects, introducing local residents to different religious traditions. ▫️The Return of a Historic Church In November 2025, the historic church building was returned to the Catholic community, paving the way for its restoration. On October 19, 2026, Holy Mass was celebrated there with the participation of Archbishop Giovanni D’Aniello, the Pope’s representative in Russia. Our journey has brought us closer to Baptists, Seventh-day Adventists, and Catholics — communities that preserve their traditions and enrich the region’s cultural and religious diversity. What has surprised or inspired you most in this series? Share your thoughts in the comments! ✔Subscribe to the OKA Agency: We make you fall in love with Nizhny Novgorod More information on our website! Follow us on: 📱 Instagram* 📱 X 📱 YouTube 📱 TikTok *Owned by Meta, recognized as extremist and banned in the Russian Federation #LifeInNizhny