Russian Church uses medieval saint’s relics to mobilize troops fighting in Ukraine

The relics of Dmitry Donskoy, a medieval Russian prince canonized four decades ago, have been taken to Russia’s main military cathedral as part of an effort to mobilize troops fighting in Ukraine. The Russian Orthodox Church has firmly supported the war since it began in 2022.

The reliquary arrived on Sunday at the cathedral in Patriot Park, on the outskirts of Moscow, where soldiers can pray before it. It will then travel to areas occupied by Russian forces in Ukraine, allowing combatants to approach the relic. The proposal has received backing from both the church and the Kremlin.

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I would like the discovery of Dmitry Donskoy’s relics to be a harbinger of an imminent victory.

The move came a day after President Vladimir Putin met White House representatives Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, after a nearly nine-month pause, to revive the Ukraine peace process. On Sunday, Patriarch Kirill led a procession through Moscow after celebrating the liturgy at the Cathedral of Christ the Savior. Thousands of worshippers joined despite heavy rain.

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It is a unique and miraculous discovery. It strengthens the foundations of our history.

The relics, recovered in July during reconstruction work at a Kremlin cathedral, will remain on display at the church for two weeks from Monday. Evgeny Poddubny, a journalist and a leading United Russia candidate in the September 20 parliamentary elections, said: “I would like the discovery of Dmitry Donskoy’s relics to be a harbinger of an imminent victory.” He called Donskoy a “winner” and a pillar of the Russian state, describing the recovery of his remains as miraculous.

Putin paid tribute to Donskoy in mid-August before the recovered reliquary at the Kremlin’s Archangel Cathedral. “It is a unique and miraculous discovery. It strengthens the foundations of our history,” Putin said. Donskoy is known for his victory over the Mongols at the 1380 Battle of Kulikovo. Putin later said the remains had made a deep impression on him and represented a saint who played a crucial role in Russia’s salvation and development.

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Honestly, when I arrived at the church and looked around, I did not believe 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 development of Russia.