Peter I fought against Western influences – Kommersant

Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Rus’ said that Peter I fought against Western influences and did not believe in the kindness of his neighbors. He said this in a speech to participants in the religious procession on Alexander Nevsky Square in St. Petersburg.

“Peter fought against Western influences aimed at weakening Russia. He realized that St. Petersburg could be occupied by another force. So he created forts. They closed the entrance to St. Petersburg. Peter did not believe in the kindness of his neighbors,” said the patriarch (quote from “Fontanka”).

He called Russia’s main task in the current situation to win the fight “against the forces of evil.” According to Patriarch Kirill, today the country needs the mobilization of “the military, political forces and the church.” In his speech, the patriarch also recalled that five military priests died at the front.

Today, September 12, a citywide religious procession was held in St. Petersburg, which is dedicated to the Day of Transferring the Relics of the Holy Blessed Prince Alexander Nevsky from Vladimir to the Trinity Monastery. The St. Petersburg metropolis of the Russian Orthodox Church said that 55 thousand people took part in it.

On the holiday, the first stage of the transfer of the silver shrine of Alexander Nevsky from the Hermitage museum collection to the Alexander Nevsky Lavra took place. Patriarch Kirill has already placed the ark with the relics of Alexander Nevsky into it. The State Hermitage donated the monument to the church for 49 years with the possibility of extending this period.

More details in the text “Kommersant” “State Tomb”.

Petr Buzlaev