September 3, 1998. - The Holy Patriarch of Moscow and All Russias, Alexy, yesterday led a worship service and consecrated the Church of the Apostles St. Peter and St. Paul in the town of Kogalym, Western Siberia.

The church is part of a church complex built with LUKOIL's assistance.

LUKOIL-Western Siberia, a subsidiary which produces more than 70% of LUKOIL's oil, has its headquarters in Kogalym.

Kogalym is situated in the Khanty-Mansi autonomous district of Tyumen region. The town is 13 years old. The majority of its population of about 60,000 are oilmen and their families.

An Orthodox community was established in Kogalym in 1995. A Sunday school has been operating in the town since April 1997.

While staying in Kogalym, Alexy visited an arts school, a sports center and other social and cultural facilities. LUKOIL President Vagit Alekperov thanked the patriarch for coming to Kogalym and said it was the company's responsibility to satisfy not only the material but also the spiritual needs of its workers.

LUKOIL has helped also Kogalym's Muslim community to build a mosque.

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