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

(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…