Construction on the cathedral began in 2002 and it is scheduled to open for parishioners at the end of September. It will be Russia's easternmost stone church. Archbishop of Petropavlovsk and Kamchatka Ignatius welcomed the prime minister at the building's entrance and told him how construction work was progressing and what remained to be done.

Prime Minister Vladimir Putin was presented an icon of the Holy Trinity, made from semiprecious stones from Kamchatka, as a memento of his visit. Mr Putin reciprocated by presenting the church with an icon of St. Nicholas the Miracle Worker from the mid 19th century.

After visiting the church, the prime minister spoke to residents of Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky who had been waiting for him outside. Answering citizens' questions, the prime minister told them that hazardous housing unfit for living will be torn down and dilapidated housing will be renovated.

"The funds are available; they have been allocated. The authorities must now get the construction going," Mr Putin said. "You will be rehoused."

One resident told Mr Putin about the modern biathlon complex that had recently been commissioned in the city, the only such facility in Russia's eastern regions that meets all international standards. He invited the prime minister to visit the complex. Mr Putin said he was planning to visit it tomorrow.