Russia is sending the relics of medieval princes to the front lines in Ukraine – CNN

Russia has begun using Christian relics and the remains of medieval princes on the front lines in Ukraine to boost the morale of its troops and provide a religious justification for the war. In early September, a fragment of Prince Dmitry Donskoy’s right hand was handed over to the occupying forces; it is currently being transported between military bases in the occupied territories.

According to religious studies scholar Serhiy Chapnin, the Russian authorities and the church are using such symbols to create the impression that the aggressor is merely defending its own territory. The image of the prince is being used as a mobilization myth to influence public consciousness. Earlier, the remains of Prince Alexander Nevsky had already been transferred to the occupiers’ front lines.

At the same time, historian and Orthodox priest Oleksandr Zanemonets emphasizes that sending relics has nothing to do with Christianity and constitutes the use of the church for the state’s political purposes. For his part, Grigory Mikhnov-Vaitenko, a priest of the Apostolic Orthodox Church, noted that such activities by religious institutions create a false impression for people, even though Russian military personnel themselves turn to holy sites for moral support.

Source: CNN.

The Russian Orthodox Church has delivered a reliquary containing a fragment of Prince Dmitry Donskoy’s right hand from the 14th century to the part of Donetsk Oblast temporarily occupied by Russia. It has already been brought to the Savur-Mohyla military memorial and is now being transported along the front lines.

Earlier, the Russian Orthodox Church had raised the possibility of transferring part of Dmitry Donskoy’s remains to the front lines, and Russian dictator Vladimir Putin publicly supported the church’s plans.