Moscow Cross Procession Displays Dmitry Donskoy Relics, Draws Thousands

A citywide cross procession carried a reliquary with relics of Grand Prince Dmitry Donskoy through central Moscow on September 6. The 6.5-kilometer route ran from Christ the Savior Cathedral along the Moskva River embankments to the Novodevichy Convent.

Patriarch Kirill led the procession after celebrating Divine Liturgy at the cathedral. At the head of the column were the Smolensk Icon "Hodegetria," an icon of the Synaxis of Moscow Saints, and the reliquary with Donskoy's relics.

“Dmitry Donskoy helps the country in the current confrontation with the enemy... the appearance of the relics is a sign that Russia will be given victory and will undoubtedly win.”

Moscow police spokesperson Irina Volk said approximately 100,000 people took part. State-aligned TV channel Spas claimed "hundreds of thousands" attended, a figure not independently verified.

Security forces screened participants and patrolled metro stations. Over 700 volunteers from church-affiliated groups accompanied the column, distributing water and maintaining order.

Priest Valery Dukhanin declared during the broadcast that Donskoy "helps" Russia in its current confrontation and that the relics' appearance signals the country "will be given victory" and "will undoubtedly win."

Mobile internet disruptions were reported in the city center during the event. A scuffle broke out between members of the nationalist groups "Russian Community" and "Sorok Sorokov" over queue positions.

The relics will remain on display for veneration at Christ the Savior Cathedral from September 7 to 20. The Russian Orthodox Church previously called the idea of sending the relics to the front "reasonable."