September 24, 2018, Chairman of the Synodal Department for cooperation with Armed forces and law enforcement agencies Archpriest Sergey Privalov made a prayer in the Church of St. Sergius of Radonezh at the General staff of the Armed forces of the Russian Federation, reports patriarhiei. His Excellency was assisted by Archpriest Constantine, Alexenko, Executive Secretary of the Synodal Department.
In the temple was attended by the Deputy Russian defense Minister Colonel-General Andrei Kartapolov, Deputy chief of the General staff of the armed forces of the Russian Federation the General-Colonel Sergey Astrakov.
After the service, Archpriest Sergiy Privalov donated to the temple of the four icons with particles of relics of St. Sergius of Radonezh, St. George the victorious, righteous warrior Feodor Ushakov, velikomuchenika Dmitriya solunskogo honest and particles of the Tree of the Holy cross.
“For an Orthodox person this event as it is today — not just a holiday. This is a huge spiritual joy and purification. Because always, in the history of Christianity, before the icons and prayed to the powers that be, and ordinary people. Icons defended Russia for centuries, and in our history there are many examples when they are not just defending a separate area, but in General protect our country from the historical tribulations and troubles. They stopped the army, healed the sick, saved from fires,” — said Colonel-General Andrei Kartapolov.
The transfer of the relics took place with the assistance of the charitable Foundation of the Holy Martyr Boniface and the charity Fund “Soldiers cross” in the framework of the “strengthening of the Russian army” by the world Russian people’s Council with the blessing of his Holiness Patriarch of Moscow and all Russia Kirill.