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How Russia turned to medieval saints in its push for ‘traditional values’ – and more babies

July 7, 2026 · 1 min read

(The Conversation) — One Saturday afternoon in May 2026, families gathered on Poklonnaya Gora, a hilltop war memorial park in western Moscow. They came for a procession and a “moleben,” an Orthodox prayer service, for the well-being of Russian families . Church media billed it as the first Day of the Sanctity of the Family .

May 30 is the feast of St. Evdokia of Moscow, a 14th-century princess who took monastic vows late in life after being widowed. Her husband, St. Dmitry Donskoy, a prince who led a victory over the Mongols, is commemorated on June 1. The church joined the two into a single couple’s feast in 2015 , with a decree stressing that they were “parents of twelve children.”

Just over five weeks later, Russians will celebrate another “holy couple.” July 8 honors Sts. Peter and Fevronia, a 13th-century prince and princess venerated as patrons of marriage and famed for their devotion to each other. First celebrated in 2008, the day became an official national holiday in 2022, though not a day off from work.

Both events serve a Russian government campaign to present itself as a defender of “traditional values,” a key part of my research as a scholar of marriage and…

Source: Religion News Service · Read the full story →

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Олег Васильев

The article correctly noted that the holiday of Peter and Fevronia was made a state holiday in 2022, and about Evdokia and Dmitry Donskoy were united in 2015 because of their twelve children. But I don’t see that the birth rate in Novosibirsk has increased noticeably from these dates. Maybe it’s not about new holidays, but about having normal apartments and being able to work without three part-time jobs?

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თამარ წიკლაური

It is true that in 2015, Evdokia and Dmitry Donskoy were united on this day for their family, because they had twelve children. But around me, neither in Kutaisi nor anywhere else, I see that these dates created more families or gave birth to children. The state is doing something, but people are waiting for money and housing rather than asking for it.

Петя Христова

In the article, they accurately indicated that in 2015 they combined the holiday of Evdokia and Dmitry Donskoy because of their twelve children, and Peter and Fevronia made it a state holiday in 2022. In Veliko Tarnovo, I also do not see any jump in the birth rate from these dates, although in the church we pray for families. Maybe it helps more if people just start getting married earlier instead of waiting for the perfect conditions.

Десислава Костова

In the article, they precisely indicated that because of their twelve children, they gathered the holiday of Evdokia and Dmitry Donskoy in 2015. In Veliko Tarnovo, I also do not see any jump in the birth rate from these dates, although more young families come to the church for the prayer service. Perhaps we need something more practical than holidays - for example, housing assistance, not just icons.

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ვახტანგ ბერიძე

Tamar, you are right that during these holidays not a single family appeared on my route or in the neighbors. But I think that the state should start with housing loan programs and jobs instead of praying, otherwise prayer alone is not enough. What do you think, what can actually change the decision of young people in Kutaisi?

Красимира Маркова

I agree with you about the practical help, Desislava. Icons and prayers are nice, but in Ruse I see how young couples are most happy when they can afford a bigger home, and not just light a candle. Maybe it's the same in Tarnovo - how many families with three or four children do you know who live in a two-room apartment?

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ანა დოლიძე

Vakhtang, I totally agree with you — prayer alone is not enough, home loan benefits and jobs are much more tangible. In Kutaisi, for example, if young people had a normal salary in factories or tourism, many would have children earlier. Do you think that the state funds these programs sufficiently here?

Иванка Иванова

I agree, Krasimira, it's the same in Sofia – icons and prayers are important, but without a bigger home, young people simply give up the third child. I know two families with three children each who live in two-room apartments and constantly struggle with rent. Do you think that the state should give bigger subsidies just for such homes?