Russian Church Displays Medieval Saint’s Relics to Rally Troops Fighting in Ukraine

The Russian Orthodox Church has put the relics of medieval prince Dmitry Donskoy on display as an emblem for troops fighting in Ukraine, with plans to take the remains to areas occupied by Russian forces.

The reliquary was moved to Russia’s main military cathedral at Patriot Park outside Moscow, where military personnel could pay tribute. It will then travel to occupied areas of Ukraine, a proposal supported from the outset by both the church and the Kremlin.

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I would love for the discovery of Dmitry Donskoy’s relics to become an omen of an imminent victory.

The move came a day after President Vladimir Putin met White House envoys, following a pause of almost nine months, to revive the Ukraine peace process. Patriarch Kirill also led a procession through Moscow after celebrating a service at the Cathedral of Christ the Saviour. Thousands of worshippers took part despite heavy rain.

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A unique and miraculous discovery. This strengthens the foundations of our history.

The remains were recovered in July during reconstruction work at a Kremlin cathedral. The church said worshippers would be able to view them at the same cathedral for two weeks from Monday. Yevgeny Poddubny, a prominent journalist and one of the Kremlin party’s leading candidates for the September 20 parliamentary elections, said he hoped the discovery would signal a quick victory. “I would love for the discovery of Dmitry Donskoy’s relics to become an omen of an imminent victory,” he said.

Putin had paid tribute to Donskoy in mid-August beside the recovered sarcophagus. He called it “a unique and miraculous discovery” that strengthened the foundations of Russian history. Donskoy is remembered in Russia for defeating the Mongols at the 1380 Battle of Kulikovo. After viewing the relic, Putin said he had not expected the encounter to affect him so deeply and described the saint as having played a crucial role in Russia’s salvation and emergence.

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Honestly, when I arrived at the church and looked around, I did not think it would make such a deep impression on me. There, beside me, were the remains of a saint who played a crucial role in the salvation and emergence of Russia.