President Vladimir Putin Awarded Prestigious Order of the Blessed Grand Duke Alexander Nevsky

OCP News Service – 29/07/2024

Moscow – Russia: On July 28, 2024, in commemoration of the Equal-to-the-Apostles Grand Duke Vladimir and the church and state holiday of the Baptism of Rus, President Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin visited the Holy Trinity Alexander Nevsky Lavra in St. Petersburg. Accompanied by His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia, the President visited the upper church of the Annunciation Church of the Lavra, which honors the blessed prince Alexander Nevsky.

Earlier in the day, Patriarch Kirill celebrated the Divine Liturgy in this church, offering special petitions and prayers for President Putin’s health on his name day, July 28. The upper church currently houses the relics of Prince Alexander Nevsky, which were placed in a historical reliquary transferred to the Russian Orthodox Church in September 2023. President Putin and Patriarch Kirill inspected the reliquary and reviewed the progress of preparations for its return to its historical place in the Trinity Cathedral of the Lavra.

In a significant recognition of his contributions, Patriarch Kirill awarded President Putin the prestigious Order of the Blessed Prince Alexander Nevsky, 1st degree. This honor was established by the Holy Synod on April 13, 2021, to commemorate the 800th anniversary of Prince Alexander Nevsky and is bestowed upon individuals who have made outstanding contributions to the defense and prosperity of the Fatherland, the promotion of peace and harmony, and the preservation of the legacy of Prince Alexander Nevsky.

During the award ceremony, Patriarch Kirill expressed his profound gratitude to President Putin for his efforts in reviving Russia’s spiritual life. “Dear Vladimir Vladimirovich, I would like to sincerely thank you for the great deal that you are doing today to revive the spiritual life of Russia. Of course, special thanks for the conditions that the state is creating, including for Orthodox people,” said Patriarch Kirill.

He added, “Russia is a unique example of how a modern technologically and scientifically developed country can combine scientific and technical progress, an advanced and very fair social system with respect for the religious factor and religious faith, but most importantly, to a significant extent, with reliance on the spiritual component. We wish you God’s help and strength so that you continue to lead the country and the people in such a way that we do not stray from our historical path, but update this path in relation to the challenges and the situation that is growing out of modern human civilization.”

President Putin, visibly moved by the honor, thanked Patriarch Kirill for the high award, emphasizing the vital role of the Russian Orthodox Church in Russian society. “Your Holiness, thank you very much for this high church award. I want to say that the Russian Orthodox Church is, without a doubt, one of the most important moral and ethical foundations of the very existence of the Russian people. Together with traditional Russian confessions, the Russian Orthodox Church is also the foundation of Russian statehood. And you have done a lot to strengthen the state at present. Because there is nothing more powerful and strong than the spiritual principle. Everything else is built on this,” the President said.

Following the ceremony, Patriarch Kirill and President Putin visited the lower church-tomb of the Annunciation Church, where they laid flowers on the grave of the great commander A.V. Suvorov.

Background on the Order of the Blessed Prince Alexander Nevsky

The Order of the Blessed Grand Duke Alexander Nevsky is a prestigious honor established by the Holy Synod on April 13, 2021, to mark the 800th anniversary of Prince Alexander. It recognizes military personnel, diplomats, statesmen, clergy, monastics, and laypeople who have made significant contributions to the defense and prosperity of the Fatherland, the promotion of peace and harmony, the development of interstate relations, and the preservation of the legacy of Prince Alexander Nevsky.

In May 2023, following an appeal from Patriarch Kirill to President Putin, it was decided to return the historical reliquary of Prince Alexander Nevsky to the Alexander Nevsky Lavra. On September 12, 2023, during the feast of the transfer of the relics of Prince Alexander Nevsky, Patriarch Kirill placed the relics in the historical reliquary, which was transferred from the Hermitage to the Annunciation Church. The reliquary will eventually be returned to its historical place in the Trinity Cathedral of the Lavra.

Source:

OCP News Service