The Russian Orthodox Church has transported a reliquary containing a portion of the remains of Dmitry Donskoy, a 14th-century prince, to Russian-occupied eastern Ukraine for use among troops. Church officials stated that the relic would “spiritually strengthen” soldiers and assist in achieving victory. The fragment was brought to the Savur-Mohyla war memorial in the Donetsk region, where senior Orthodox clergy conducted a prayer service alongside Russian military representatives.
Dmitry Donskoy is venerated in Russian Orthodox tradition for his military victory over the Mongolian Golden Horde in 1380. The Russian-installed Metropolitan Vladimir of Donetsk and Mariupol indicated that the relic’s presence would help soldiers and civilians “mobilise their strength” and secure victory. Church officials described Donskoy as a “holy commander” whose presence would support troops in combat.
The relics were uncovered during restoration work at the Cathedral of the Archangel within the Kremlin. The location of Donskoy’s burial had been previously known, though his remains had not been exhumed following his canonization. Putin attended the ceremony marking the unearthing of the relics. Some observers have noted that the decision to open the tomb nearly four decades after canonization coincided with the ongoing military conflict in Ukraine.
The church’s actions reflect its broader engagement with the Russian war effort in Ukraine. Since the full-scale invasion began, church leadership has become extensively involved in military operations, with priests deployed to military units and churches instructed to recite prayers for victory. Earlier this year, relics of Alexander Nevsky, another medieval military figure, were similarly sent to the front lines.
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