The Russian Orthodox church, the largest of the world's eastern Orthodox communions, is expanding into Cuba, Novosti reported Tuesday.
The church's Moscow leaders said they planned to break ground this month in the center of Havana.
There are an estimated 8,000 Orthodox Christians in Havana.
Church leaders say their branch of the Christian faith is distinctive in its commitment to preserving the theological and liturgical traditions of the church fathers and also in its deep reverence of the Virgin Mary, both of which are prized by the island's Orthodox believers.