Memorial Day of Grand Duke Dimitri Donskoy

The memory of the holy defender of the Russian land, Prince Dmitry Donskoy, is honored by the Russian Orthodox Church on the first day of summer Canonization took place in 1988, 600 years after the death of Dmitry Only a glance through the centuries allowed descendants to appreciate the deeds of Donskoy The prince became famous as the winner of the Battle of Kulikovo, which became a turning point and revived the faith of the Russian people in their own strength to resist the Mongol yoke The victory was of great importance for Christianity in Rus' and for the Holy Orthodox Church A common faith united the Russian people into a single nation capable of creating a powerful centralized state Dmitry was born into the family of the ruler of the Moscow principality in October 1350 During his childhood, the boy’s personality was greatly influenced by Saint Alexy of Moscow and Saint Sergei of Radonezh Faith in the Lord became Dmitry's constant companion in all the most important deeds of life Before campaigns and decisive battles, the prince offered fervent prayers to heavenly patrons, asking for blessings and intercession Having lost his parent early, at the age of 12, Donskoy becomes the Grand Duke of Moscow, taking on state concerns on his young shoulders Thanks to his rule, the principality not only strengthened and grew, but also acquired the significance of the center of the Russian lands Together with the united troops, Dmitry Ivanovich opposed the Horde of Khan Mamai The Donskoy army was inspired to victory by the Holy Father Sergius of Radonezh himself The schema-monk of the Sergius Monastery, Alexander Peresvet, fought with the Tatar hero Chelubey before the start of the Kulikovo Massacre, showing an example of courage and readiness to give his life for a just cause Many soldiers died fighting under the leadership of Dmitry Donskoy; in their memory, the prince erected the Church of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary and established the annual tradition of commemorating the fallen on the day of Dmitrievskaya parental Saturday Another church holiday established by Dmitry Ivanovich was the day of the Discovery of the relics of the patron saint, Prince Alexander Nevsky According to the surviving legend, before Donskoy’s campaign against the Horde, before the burial of Prince Alexander, a candle flame was miraculously lit, after which two holy elders appeared, who, having reached the tomb of Nevsky, called on the deceased to help in the battle Saint Alexander rose up as if alive, fully armed, and left with the elders The help of the holy army and the courage of Prince Dmitry performed a miracle, the Horde troops were defeated, and although the Mongol yoke weighed on Russia for about another hundred years, after the Battle of Kulikovo the light of freedom shone over the Russian lands brighter and brighter