DUSHANBE, November 26, Asia-Plus -- Metropolitan of Tashkent and Central Asia Vladimir arrived in Tajikistan on November 24 for a three-day visit.  He started his visit to Tajikistan with trip to Khujand, the capital of the Tajik northern province of Sughd. 

The Dushanbe St. Nicolas Cathedral Dean Sergius told Asia-Plus that during his visit to Khujand on Saturday, Metropolitan of Tashkent and Central Asia held talks with local authorities to discuss issues related to allotment of land for construction of Orthodox church instead of the church that was burned down in January 2005.

We will recall that two nuns from a monastery in Tashkent died in the fire in the Orthodox Maria Magdalena Church in Khujand on January 17, 2005.  One of the nuns, Maria, was 78 years old and the other, Elikonida, was 72 years old.  According to some sources, the church burned to the ground, including the 100-year-old archive.  According to some media, the blaze destroyed icons, including those dating from the 18th and 19th centuries.

            On November 25, Metropolitan Vladimir took part in public prayer at the St. Nicolas Cathedral in Dushanbe as well as took part in Sunday church service.

The same day, he visited sub-unit of Russian military base 201 deployed in Dushanbe to hold a service of prayers at its chapel. 

During his stay in Dushanbe, Metropolitan Vladimir is also scheduled to hold talks with high-ranking Tajik state officials.