The relatives of the victims of the Beslan school terrorist attack backed Wednesday the proposal to build a memorial church on the site of the tragedy.

The plans for the memorial include an Orthodox church that incorporates the ruins of the old school gym-theatre hall where most of the victims lost their lives when hostages took Beslan’s School No.1 between 1-3 September 2004.

The President of North Ossetia, the region in which Beslan is situated, met with the Bishop Feofan of Stavropol and Valdikavkaz, to discuss the church construction project, according to the eparchy’s press service.

The press service said, “Relations between the Russian Orthodox Church, state bodies and public organisations are characterised by mutual understanding and cooperation.”

Bishop Feofan thanked President Mamsurov, saying, “Your son and daughter were also taken hostage by terrorists and were badly injured. You did not give way to emotions in that situation and set an example for many people.”

The proposal for the building of a memorial church on the site of Beslan School No.1 was made by the bishop last autumn.

Three hundred and thirty-one people were killed by the terrorists, including 186 children.