Yes, it is possible to destroy cities, even hundreds of cities, to burn thousands of books, to destroy museums, to destroy or steal works of art in them. But it is impossible to destroy the art and memory of the people. Alexander Nevskiy is one of the most worthy sons of Ancient Russia, famous for his piety and bravery in the battles, whose merits are great both before the Church and the Fatherland.
The Holy Trinity Alexander Nevsky Lavra in St. Petersburg is named after the Cathedral Church of the Life-Giving Trinity and Saint Prince Alexander Nevsky, in whose honor and memory it was built.
When the construction of the Alexander Nevsky monastery was just beginning, the image of St. Alexander Nevsky has already gained popularity. Numerous icons were painted with the face of the prince, his images were placed on the triumphant buildings in honor of the victories of the Russian army. And Peter I piously believed that Alexander Nevskiy, as a God's Supper, who was a permanent guardian of the local region from external enemies, would be the most reliable defender and protector of St. Petersburg and was built.
To move the holy relics from Vladimir to St. Petersburg, Superintendent of the Synod I.P. Zarudny in Moscow had to make an ark and canopy. He was sent a drawing depicting the ark on eight "footsteps" in the form of a lion's feet with the heads of cherubims. The ark was also decorated with lion's masks - a traditional symbol of the Resurrection on the sarcophagi, and on the cover of the ark was placed a princely crown. The ark stood on a support and a canopy over the whole building, at the base of which gold armor was fortified.
The order of Peter I to move the relics of St. Alexander Nevsky was executed in 1724, this action of the Russian Emperor wanted to mark the conclusion of the Neustadt peace between Russia and Sweden. In July 1724, a commission of clerics and civilians was sent to Vladimir, which was to carry the relics to Novgorod. The ritual was strictly observed. Along the way, ceremonial meetings were held everywhere, prayers were served in cathedrals and churches, and troops saluted the ark with artillery salvos.
From Novgorod, the relics on a specially prepared yacht had to follow the waterway to St. Petersburg.
Towards the holy relics on the galley to the mouth of Izhora Peter the Great himself left. He took them from the yacht to the galley, and ordered to sit on the oars, and drove the wheel himself. At the meeting of relics to the Alexander Nevsky monastery under the standard "Botik" of Peter I was brought out, on the shore was placed military regiments. When the Emperor's Gallery hit the shore, Peter the Great himself raised the ark and moved it to the Alexander Nevsky monastery.
In honor and memory of the transfer of the holy relics of Prince Alexander Nevsky festivities and festivities lasted three days. Peter, I ordered annually on August 30 in all the Orthodox Russian churches to celebrate the transfer of the relics of the faithful prince, as well as to annually bring to the monastery on this day his "Botik" for celebrations. At the same time, he intended to establish an order in honor of Alexander Nevsky, but the intention was already executed in 1725 by his wife - Catherine I.
In 1752, at the behest of Empress Elizabeth Petrovna, daughter of Peter the Great, the ark was replaced by a silver crayfish, which was made of the first silver smelted at the Kolyvan mines under her power.
At the top of the crayfish on the atlas was painted the image of St. Alexander Nevsky, with him there was a green velvet cover, embroidered with gold with beads and a golden canitel. In the middle of the cover, which was granted by Catherine II in 1768, there was an order sign of Alexander Nevsky of diamonds and Burmese pearls.
The holy crayfish is decorated with perfectly minted bas-reliefs telling about the deeds of Alexander Nevsky. There is also an inscription written by M.V. Lomonosov on it:
A large silver pyramid was attached to the eastern side of the crayfish, on which the inscription made by M.V. Lomonosov was also made. It is written on two silver shields, which are held by two silver angels.
A precious golden lamp with a pendant brush made of precious pearls and diamonds was hung over Alexander Nevskiy's crayfish on holidays. The lamp was granted in 1791 by Empress Catherine II. And in 1806, Emperor Alexander I granted an analogue with a kyote for particles of holy relics and a candlestick about twelve silver tandals.
In the kyoto, which is covered with glass from above, there is a particle of the Life-giving Cross of the Lord, as well as five arks with the relics of saints. And the image of St. Prince Alexander Nevsky remained for centuries the patron saint of the city, "the heavenly representative for the Neva lands".