The Smolensk Icon of the Mother of God "Odigitria" will be carried at the head of the Moscow-wide procession, which will take place on September 6, 2026. On August 10, the day of the celebration in honor of the Smolensk Icon, the head of the Information Service of the Moscow (city) Diocese, Priest Alexander Volkov, commented to RIA Novosti about the connection of this shrine with the upcoming Procession.
As Father Alexander noted, the all-Moscow procession, which has been held for many centuries, was organized precisely in connection with the transfer of the Smolensk Icon and the foundation of the Novodevichy Monastery. Since ancient times, this icon has been revered as the defender of the western borders of our Fatherland and the intercessor during the days of military trials, and on the day of its celebration, believers throughout the country offer prayers for peace and prosperity of the Russian land.
This year, the miraculous list of the Smolensk Icon of the Mother of God "Odigitria" will be carried at the head of the procession, which will be specially brought from the Assumption Cathedral of Smolensk, where the shrine has been located since the beginning of the 17th century.
The tradition of Moscow-wide processions, interrupted for many decades, was revived in 2025 and is now becoming an annual event. This year, the Moscow-wide procession will take place again on the day of the Cathedral commemoration of Moscow saints, which falls on September 6. The march will be led by the Primate of the Russian Orthodox Church, the ruling bishop of the city of Moscow, His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia.