The celebration of the discovery of the relics of the blessed Prince Dimitry Donskoy will be held annually on August 18translated

Every year on August 18 (5th O.S.) the Russian Orthodox Church will celebrate the discovery of the relics of the blessed Grand Duke Demetrius Donskoy.

The Holy Synod of the Russian Orthodox Church made a corresponding decision at its meeting on October 22, 2026 (journal No. 68).

“Include in the general church month of August 5/18 the memory of the discovery of the relics of the holy blessed Grand Duke Dmitry Donskoy,” says the resolution of the Synod.

In this regard, the Synodal Liturgical Commission was instructed to submit for approval to the Holy Synod the text of the service performed on the mentioned day.

Reference

On August 18, 2026, in the Archangel Cathedral of the Moscow Kremlin, His Holiness Patriarch Kirill led the solemn discovery of the relics of the Blessed Grand Duke Dimitri Donskoy, discovered in connection with restoration work on his tomb.

The solemn discovery of the relics and the prayer service at the shrine were attended by: Metropolitan Gregory of the Resurrection, manager of the affairs of the Moscow Patriarchate and the First Patriarchal Vicar for Moscow; Bishop Alexy of Ramensky, personal secretary of His Holiness Patriarch Kirill; Protopresbyter Vladimir Divakov; Archpriest Vyacheslav Shestakov,...