Russia's Most Famous Icon Displayed At Cathedral Despite Protests
Despite protests, Russian Orthodox believers celebrated Trinity Sunday with the country's most famous icon. The 15th-century Trinity icon by Andrei Rublev was moved from a Moscow museum to Christ the Savior Cathedral on President Vladimir Putin’s orders.
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Security personnel guard Andrei Rublev's historic Trinity icon, which was exhibited at the Christ the Savior Cathedral in Moscow on June 4. The artwork -- painted in the 1420s depicting three angels visiting Abraham and seen by many as Russia's most famous icon, has been returned to the church.
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Russian Orthodox Patriarch Kirill (center) conducts an Orthodox service celebrating Trinity Sunday in Christ the Savior Cathedral in Moscow. The icon, formerly kept at Moscow's Tretyakov Gallery since the 1920s, was moved to Christ the Savior Cathedral for the holiday on President Vladimir Putin's orders.
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Kirill thanked Russian President Vladimir Putin personally for the transfer and said: "May God help this good endeavor -- the return of sacred items -- to continue."
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Orthodox believers gather to view the Trinity. Though no miraculous event is attributed to the icon, it is considered one of Russia's most beautiful and important examples of ancient art that draws its traditions from the Byzantine era.
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Irina Sosnovtseva, a senior researcher at the Russian Museum who specializes in ancient Russian art, says many experts are doubtful that the church will be able to adequately care for the delicate treasure.
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Museum officials and scientists have opposed the relocation of the icon, saying the historic artifact will be damaged by the change in microclimate and vibrations during the transfer.
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Patriarch Kirill, who has been openly supportive of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, said he had made a request only for the church to borrow the Trinity icon for two weeks. Instead, Putin pledged the artwork to the church in perpetuity.
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Orthodox believers line up to see the historic icon in Moscow. The Trinity painting will reportedly be transported to the Trinity Lavra of St. Sergius, northeast of Moscow where it will be on permanent display.
