On September 7, a press conference dedicated to the feast of the transfer of the relics of the Holy Prince Alexander Nevsky was held at the St. Alexander Nevsky Lavra. The main celebrations will be held in St. Petersburg on September 12.
Bishop Veniamin of Kronstadt, Vicar of the Alexander Nevsky Lavra, recalled that Alexander Nevsky is revered as the patron saint of St. Petersburg and the entire North-West of Russia. His personality combined military and spiritual exploits, statesmanship and fidelity to Christian commandments. According to the bishop, the example of the holy Prince is especially important for the younger generation.
The celebration is connected with the transfer of the relics of Alexander Nevsky from Vladimir to the new capital of the Russian Empire by decree of Peter I. Since 1743, the main event of this day has been the citywide procession along Nevsky Prospekt. After a long break, the tradition was revived in 2013, when the 300th anniversary of the Alexander Nevsky Lavra was celebrated.
On September 12, festive divine services will be held at the Kazan Cathedral, the Alexander Nevsky Lavra and the Annunciation Cathedral of Shlisselburg. Metropolitan Varsonofy of St. Petersburg and Ladoga will lead the divine service at the lavra.
The gathering of the participants of the grand procession will begin at 10:00 at the Kazan Cathedral. At 11:00 a.m., the procession will head along Nevsky Prospekt to Alexander Nevsky Square. It will be possible to join the column only at the Kazan Cathedral. The main shrine of the procession will be the Kazan Icon of the Mother of God. An ark with a fragment of the recently found relics of St. Dimitri Donskoy will also be delivered from Moscow.
Around noon, participants of the grand procession, the lavra procession and the water procession will meet on Alexander Nevsky Square. A festive prayer service will be held in front of the relics of Alexander Nevsky and Dimitri Donskoy, as well as the Kazan Icon of the Mother of God.
A water procession will take place from the Oreshek fortress in memory of the last stage of the transfer of the relics of the holy Prince in 1724. While traveling along the Neva River, participants will make a stop in front of Ust-Izhora, the site of the Battle of Nevsky. At approximately 11:45 a.m., the pilgrims will arrive at Sinopskaya Embankment and head to Alexander Nevsky Square.
The festive program will continue on the territory of the lavra. Flower laying, honoring the knights of the Order of Alexander Nevsky, folk festivals and the presentation of the prize named after the Holy Prince are planned. The concert will begin at 2 p.m. At 4 p.m. Sergei Prokofiev's cantata "Alexander Nevsky" and works by Russian composers will be performed at the Oreshek Fortress.
The organizers recalled that the walking route will be about 4.5 kilometers long. Participants are advised to choose comfortable shoes, take the necessary medicines and take into account the weather conditions. The procession is a prayer procession, so those present are encouraged to observe the appropriate nature of the event.
Due to the celebrations on September 11 and 12, traffic and parking restrictions will be in effect in the city center. On the morning of September 12, bus and trolleybus routes will change. It is recommended to check the current information on the official resources of the city Committee on Transport. The live broadcast of the divine service and the procession will be conducted by the St. Petersburg TV channel.