The handover of the shrine was carried out with the blessing of His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia. It is timed to coincide with the anniversary date: last year the Russian Orthodox Church celebrated the 600th anniversary of the discovery of the relics of Saint Sergius.
During his speech, the Minister of Justice of the Russian Federation, Konstantin Chuychenko, highlighted the special importance of respecting the right to freedom of religion of people in penitentiary institutions. These are more than 238 thousand people throughout the country.
“It is religion that helps people cope with the situation, receive support and take the right path. This is an important component, including in reducing recidivism,” the minister stressed.
As the department reports, the large shrine was handed over to the famous Holy Trinity Sergius Lavra remand center and placed for veneration in the Church of the Intercession of the Holy Virgin Mary, located on the territory of the remand prison. center.
“Previously, since 2022, on the occasion of the celebration of the 600th anniversary of the discovery of the relics of Saint Sergius, this ark has already visited 70 Russian regions, where millions of believers were able to venerate them with faith and prayer. “The members of the penitentiary department, the guests of honor and those who are in prison due to various life circumstances, had the opportunity to venerate the Christian relic and ask for prayerful help from the most beloved and revered Russian saint among the people,” the department reports.
“Last year, employees of the bodies and institutions of the penitentiary system in almost all regions of the country were able to venerate the relics of St. Sergius of Radonezh and participate in solemn services, prayers and religious processions,” said Arkady Gostev. director of the Federal Penitentiary Service.” Today such an opportunity has arisen “for employees of the department of the Moscow region and for persons detained in penal institutions. “I express my gratitude to the organizers of the event for their attention to the activities of the penal system and for the opportunity to venerate the great shrine of the Russian land.”
During this week the ark with the holy relics will be taken to all penitentiary institutions of the Federal Penitentiary Service of Russia in Moscow. It is also reported that the Ministry of Justice of Russia, together with the Federal Penitentiary Service of Russia, the Russian Orthodox Church and other religious denominations, are working on the introduction of the position of assistant to the head of the pretrial detention center to work. with believers.
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