Department for External Church Relations
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His Holiness Patriarch Kirill celebrates on the feast of the 300th anniversary of the transfer of relics of St.Alexander Nevsky to St. Petersburg
DECR Communications Service, 12.09.2024.
On September 12, the feast of the 300th anniversary of the transfer of the relics of the Holy Right-believing Prince Alexander Nevsky to St. Petersburg, His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Rus' celebrated the Divine Liturgy in the Annunciation Church of the Holy Trinity Alexander Nevsky Lavra in the northern capital.
After the Liturgy, the Primate of the Russian Orthodox Church led a procession of the cross with the relics of St. Alexander Nevsky from the Annunciation Church to Alexander Nevsky Square.
Having come to the square were participants of the traditional citywide festive procession of the cross from the Kazan Cathedral along Nevsky Prospect and a procession along the Neva River that was held for the first time. It was by water that the relics of the patron saint of the city were brought to the Lavra three centuries ago. Passing through the square were one hundred motorcyclists and a group of horsemen who are taking part in the historical reconstruction of the equestrian campaign of Prince’s armed force called ‘Alexander's Road’.
The procession came to the square, and the shrine with the righteous relics of the saint was put on a special platform under the canopy.
The Primate of the Russian Church celebrated a prayer service and read a prayer to the Right-believing Grand Prince Alexander Nevsky.
Taking part in the prayer service were thirteen hierarchs, including five metropolitans and eight bishops, as well as clergy of the St. Petersburg Metropolia.
The Governor of St. Petersburg Alexander Beglov, the Governor of the Leningrad Region Alexander Drozdenko, the Chairman of the Legislative Assembly of St. Petersburg Alexander Belsky, and other officials were present at the square.
The liturgical hymns were sung by the combined choir of the Kazan Cathedral and the St. Petersburg Theological Academy under the direction of Ms. Svetlana Rumyantseva.
The procession of the cross and prayer service were broadcast live on ‘Saint Petersburg’, ‘Soyuz’, and ‘Spas’ TV channels, as well as on Patriarchia.ru, the official portal of the Russian Orthodox Church. Residents and guests of the Northern capital could watch the broadcast on large screens installed in the square.
His Holiness Patriarch Kirill addressed his primatial word to those gathered at Alexander Nevsky Square.
Governors Beglov and Drozdenko also addressed the residents and guests of the city.
A ceremonial march of the guard of honour and military band was held, and participants in the special military operation were honoured.
To the ringing of bells, the shrine with the relics of St. Alexander Nevsky was transferred back to the Annunciation Church at the Alexander Nevsky Lavra.
Traditionally, a floral garland was laid at the graves of the Order of Alexander Nevsky holders at the Nikolskoye Cemetery of the Lavra on Alexander Nevsky feast day, the Patriarchal press service reports.
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