Alexander Nevsky – Patron Saint of St. Petersburg

December 6 Russia celebrates the Memorial Day of the Holy Right-Believing Prince Alexander Nevsky (1220-1263), the patron saint of the Northern capital of Russia - a warrior whose name became a legend after victories in the Battle of the Neva and the Battle of the Ice. The large-scale collection Alexander Nevsky (1221-1263), available on the Presidential Library's portal, features rare studies by scientists and theologians, essays and visual materials dedicated to the Grand Prince.

“The name of Alexander Nevsky acquired national significance under Peter the Great”, - says the video film Alexander Nevsky - Patron Saint of St. Petersburg prepared by the Presidential Library. Peter I, who moved the capital of the state to St. Petersburg, saw the pledge of the future well-being of the Neva lands in the image of St. Alexander. “Founding a new capital at the mouth of an abounding river, for the good of the Russian state, Peter the Great turned his gaze to the distant past of the Motherland and in the exploits of Saint Alexander Nevsky, the valiant guardian and heavenly patron of the Russian land off the banks of the Neva, found support and blessing for himself”, - says the book Holy Noble Grand Prince Alexander Nevsky and the Holy Trinity Alexander Nevsky Lavra: in commemoration of the bicentennial of the monastery (1913).

The military glory of the prince and his reign is truly great in the history of the Russian state, especially in protecting the lands on the banks of the Neva from the attack of the Swedes, the victory over which, centuries later, will be celebrated by Peter himself. The great warrior Alexander Nevsky, who had not lost a single battle in his entire life, however, tried to peacefully protect his people from destructive battles. Having earned a reputation as a peacemaker, guardian of the Russian land, the prince, "whom even family affairs could not make to forget about the needs of the people and their early protection", already at the beginning of his reign showed wise deliberation in his actions. Anticipating threats from enemies, the encroachments of Lithuania and the Germans, Alexander built fortresses, thereby protecting the borders of his native lands according to the book The Life of the Holy Blessed Grand Duke Alexander Nevsky in Monasticism Alexy (1853).

In 1240, the Swedes, led by the ruler Birger, entered the Neva on their ships and reached the mouth of the Izhora. The entire surface of the water was dark from the enemy sloops - the number of the Swedish army was several times greater than the Novgorod army, but the news of this did not frighten the 20-year-old Alexander. An inspired leader, he knew how to direct the people and the army, not embarrassed that his military strength was insignificant in comparison with the strength of the enemy. He acted quickly, with great faith in his holy cause and in the strength and heroism of the soldiers. Trusting in the Holy Trinity, Prince Alexander prepared for battle with a small squad, he did not have time to wait for help. Before the battle, first of all, Prince Alexander hastened to the temple, where Saint Spyridon, surrounded by a weeping people, begged God to grant help to the prince and his army. The prince himself joined the prayer. Coming out, he turned to his squad with the words: “Brothers! God is not in power, but in truth!" - so says the book The Life of the Holy Blessed Grand Duke Alexander Nevsky in Monasticism Alexy (1853). And the Swedish army was defeated under the leadership of Prince Alexander, and he himself "put a seal on the face of Birger with his sharp sword". The victory on the Neva brought the young prince not only incredible fame, but also a new name - Nevsky.

Grand Prince Alexander Nevsky, marked by special grace in the eyes of the people, since then had only victories in battles, protected and guarded by God, in which he himself believed.

Before his death, Alexander Nevsky took monastic vows under the name of Alexy. On December 6, 1263, he was buried in the Nativity of the Theotokos monastery in Vladimir. Subsequently, at the Moscow Cathedral in 1547, he was canonized by the Russian Orthodox Church in the guise of the faithful. The imperishable relics of the holy blessed prince Alexander Nevsky in 1724, by decision of Peter I, were transferred to St. Petersburg to the Alexander Nevsky Lavra, where they are now. Having concluded the long-desired peace with the Swedes, the emperor wished to commemorate it with a celebration in memory of the hero who defeated the Swedish army on the banks of the Neva. The transfer of the relics of St. Alexander was accompanied by a solemn ceremony. The path of the procession lay through Moscow, then Novgorod, Staraya Ladoga and Shlisselburg. "The valiant prince and ascetic now marched again through those places where the great power of the Russian people was so gloriously shown by him", - says the book Holy Noble Grand Prince Alexander Nevsky and the Holy Trinity Alexander Nevsky Lavra: in commemoration of the bicentennial of the monastery ( 1913). The participation of Peter the Great in the ceremony is spotlighted: "The tsar himself was at the helm, and the nobles were at the oars <...> This day was the day of the greatest national celebration and a bright ray of glory for the emperor - the reformer of Russia". After this event, the holy noble prince became not only the heavenly protector of the city of St. Petersburg, but later the personal patron of the Romanovs' house - in the 19th century, three of the six emperors bore the same name as the holy prince.

As outstanding military leader Peter I revered Alexander Nevsky’s memory as the defender of the Russian land, the victor of the Swedes and the Germans was especially important. In the same year, 1724, a decree of the Holy Synod was issued, which Ilya Shlyapkin quotes in his book Iconography of St. Right-Believing Grand Prince Alexander Nevsky (1915).

Since then, and for hundreds of years, St. Petersburg has carefully preserved the image of the great defender of the Russian lands and one of its heavenly patrons - Prince Alexander Nevsky.