The first Russian Orthodox Church to be established in Ireland has been consecrated in Dublin.
The ceremony at the Church of St Peter and St Paul, on Harold's Cross Road, was attended by the Minister of State at the Department of the Taoiseach and the Department of Foreign Affairs, Mr Roche.
The Church of Ireland Archbishop of Dublin, Most Rev John Neill, and the Papal Nuncio, Most Rev Giuseppe Lazzarotto, were also present
The church is in the former Church of Ireland Harold's Cross parish church, which was built in 1837 to serve soldiers from Portobello Barracks.
It closed for public worship in June 2001.
Archbishop Neill said that the consecration had particular ecumenical significance as it represented the growing and vibrant congregation of Russian Christians in Ireland.
He said it was wonderful to see a church no longer used by the Church of Ireland still being used for the glory of God.
