The ark with the relics of St. Euphrosyne of Moscow was brought to Minsk on September 9, 2024.
On the eve of September 8, His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia celebrated the Divine Liturgy at the Moscow Sretensky Stavropol Monastery. Before the beginning of the divine service, a solemn meeting of two arks with the venerable relics of St. Euphrosyne of Polotsk and St. Euphrosyne of Moscow took place. The relics of St. Euphrosyne of Polotsk were brought from the Spaso-Euphrosyne Monastery of Polotsk (Belarus), the relics of St. Euphrosyne of Moscow — from the Cathedral of Christ the Savior in Moscow.
In the coming weeks, the ark with the relics of St. Euphrosyne of Polotsk will be brought to the dioceses of Russia, and the ark with the relics of St. Euphrosyne of Moscow will be brought to the diocese of the Belarusian Orthodox Church.
The first point in the route of the shrine in Belarus was the Elisavetinsky Monastery in Minsk. The solemn meeting at the monastery was led by Bishop Avksentiy of Nesvizh, vicar of the Patriarchal Exarch of All Belarus, who performed a prayer chant with the akathist of St. Euphrosyne of Moscow.
At the end, icons of the Venerable Euphrosyne of Polotsk and Euphrosyne of Moscow with the Patriarchal blessing were distributed to the worshippers.
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Russians Russian Orthodox Church's Commission for the Development of Pilgrimage and the Offering of Shrines together with the Charitable Foundation of the Holy Prince Vladimir became the organizer of the offering of the relics of two great Russian saints — the Venerable Euphrosyne of Polotsk and the Venerable Euphrosyne of Moscow.
In 2024, the year marks 920 years since the birth of St. Euphrosyne of Polotsk, the founder of female monasticism in Russia, and 155 years since the canonization of St. Euphrosyne of Moscow (in the world — Grand Duchess Evdokia Dmitrievna), who was the wife of Prince Dmitry Donskoy, also canonized by the Russian Orthodox Church. During her lifetime, Grand Duchess Evdokia Dmitrievna was called mother, mistress of Moscow, and after her death, patroness.
It was Princess Evdokia Dmitrievna who convinced Metropolitan Cyprian to bring the Vladimir Icon of the Mother of God from Vladimir to Moscow. Through the intercession of the Most Holy Theotokos, Moscow was saved from destruction by Tamerlane's army in 1395. And in 1397, the Moscow Sretensky Monastery was founded, which for centuries has traditionally celebrated the great holiday of the city of Moscow on September 8 — the feast of the Presentation (meeting) of the Vladimir Icon of the Mother of God. This year, Moscow City Day also falls on September 8th.
The year 2024 also marks significant dates that are important in the political history of Russia and Belarus. 785 years ago, an alliance agreement was concluded between Prince Alexander Nevsky of Novgorod and Prince Bryachislav Vasilyevich of Polotsk. This year marks the 25th anniversary of the formation of the Union State of the Russian Federation and the Republic of Belarus.
The offering of the relics of Saints Euphrosyne of Polotsk and Euphrosyne of Moscow is symbolic for the peoples of Russia and Belarus, united by a common history, culture, shrines and values. The offering of the relics of these saints is a visible symbol of the unity of believers in Russia and Belarus within the framework of one Local Orthodox Church.