On September 26, Bryansk Holy Trinity Cathedral hosted the transfer of a copy of the icon of St. Nicholas of Mozhaisk, painted for the Presidential Regiment, and a panegyric, a wooden folding stone with the names of Kremlin soldiers who died in the line of military duty and during a special military operation, for eternal commemoration.
A prayer service was held in front of the icon of Nicholas Mozhaisky. With the blessing of Metropolitan Alexander of Bryansk and Sevsk, the service was led by Archpriest Sergiy Rysin, the cathedral's clerk, and co-served by the cathedral's clerics, Priest Daniil Kuzyankin, Priest Alexy Ivanov, and Deacon John Simankov.
Vladimir Melnikov, Chairman of the Bryansk branch of the Veterans of the Kremlin Presidential Regiment of the "Capital Arsenal" branch, Marina Sedneva, Chairman of the Bryansk Committee of Families of Soldiers of the Fatherland, Kremlin veterans, relatives of fallen soldiers, and yunarmeytsa also prayed at the service.
After the prayer service, Archpriest Sergiy Rysin read out the welcoming speech of Vladyka Alexander.:
- The Kremlin soldiers have always been distinguished by high military and service training, strong spirit, moral principles, and had an inner moral core. After all, their service has always been prestigious, but not easy, and they handled it with dignity. They fought bravely and professionally during the Great Patriotic War and took part with honor in the Victory Day Parade on June 24, 1945 on Red Square.
Today, when the Homeland is in danger, the soldiers of the Presidential Regiment once again stood up for the defense of our country. They successfully carry out combat missions during a special military operation, remaining faithful to their oath and their people. Unfortunately, there are also those among them who gave their lives for the Fatherland. And it is our duty to preserve the memory of modern heroes, so that their names may forever be inscribed in the heroic chronicle of Russian history. May their feat be an example for future generations. We have no other Homeland, we have only Russia, so loving it and protecting it from enemies is our sacred duty, as well as keeping our family safe.
Let us always pray for those who died on the war fronts, for those who, without sparing themselves, gave their lives for others, for peace in our land. Eternal memory to the fallen heroes of the Kremlin and defenders of the Motherland of all times!
Andrey Ivanovich Lebedev presented the jubilee medal "Kremlin Presidential Regiment 90 years" to Metropolitan Alexander, Archpriest Sergei Rysin and Deacon John Simankov, who previously served in the Presidential Regiment. Father John was also thanked, noting that his work is "a vivid example of the unity of the Army and the Church."
The mother of Nikolai Zaikin, a Kremlin soldier who died in his military service, was awarded the medal "Kremlevets - participant in a special military operation."
Alexander Lebedev awarded Valentina Klyacheva, Deputy of the Bryansk branch of veterans of the Kremlin Presidential Regiment of the "Stolitsa Arsenal" branch, the mother of the deceased Kremlin soldier Sergei Klyachev, with gratitude for his personal contribution to perpetuating the memory of the Kremlin soldiers who died in the line of military duty. On the initiative of Valentina Fedorovna, a copy of the regimental icon of Nikolai Mozhaisky was painted and handed over to the Bryansk diocese.
- Recruitment to the Presidential Regiment also comes from the Bryansk region, these are worthy sons of the Bryansk land, famous for its heroes, such as Alexander Peresvet. All Kremlinites are honourably fulfilling their duty to the end and are an example of faithful service to the state. We couldn't pass by, organized a fundraiser for the painting of the icon, made a eulogy, and this shrine is now in Bryansk. We thank Vladyka Alexander and everyone who helped to hold this event," said Andrey Ivanovich Lebedev.
In total, two copies of the icon of Nicholas Mozhaisky were made. The first was transferred to the chapel of the Martyr Irina in the village of Burtsevo of the Nizhny Novgorod Archdiocese, the second to Bryansk. The icon was consecrated in Moscow by the chaplain of the Presidential Regiment, Father Onesimus.
With the blessing of Metropolitan Alexander, the icon and panegyric (including 65 names of Kremlin soldiers who died in their military service, as well as the names of Kremlin soldiers who died in other armed conflicts) will be placed in the Bryansk Holy Trinity Cathedral. The eulogy contains the names of two fallen Bryansk soldiers, Nikolai Alexandrovich Zaikin and Sergei Alexandrovich Klyachev.
- I am very glad that it is in our central church that the icon of Nikolai Mozhaisky and the panegyric with the names of the fallen Kremlin soldiers will be kept. We have long wanted to perpetuate the memory of our guys who served in the Presidential Regiment, and with God's help, everything turned out well," shared Valentina Fedorovna Klyacheva.