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During a visit to the St Alexander Nevski Lavra, the President and the Patriarch laid flowers at the grave of the famous Russian military leader Alexander Suvorov (1730–1800).

Vladimir Putin and Patriarch Kirill also had a brief conversation in the Cathedral of the Annunciation.

The St Alexander Nevsky Lavra was the first and largest monastery in St Petersburg, founded in 1713 by the order of Peter the Great.

In 1723, the Emperor decided to transfer the relics of Alexander Nevsky from Vladimir to St Petersburg. The reliquary remained in Shlisselburg for a year, until on September 12, 1724, it was solemnly installed in the Annunciation Church of the Alexander Nevsky Lavra. Peter the Great personally participated in the transfer of the relics. Since then, the Faithful Saint Prince Alexander has been revered as the heavenly patron of the city.

After October 1917, the monastery was closed, and its premises housed several state institutions. Services in the Holy Trinity Cathedral did not resume until 1957. In 1990, the monastery complex was included on the UNESCO World Heritage List, and its buildings were transferred to the Russian Orthodox Church.

In accordance with the order of the Ministry of Culture, the silver reliquary of St Alexander Nevsky was transferred to the Lavra and relocated from State Hermitage to the Annunciation Church. Upon completion of repairs and restoration works, the entire etomb will be moved to the Holy Trinity Cathedral, to the exact place where the relics were held in the 19^th century.

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Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia: In memory of this event [the transfer of Alexander Nevsky's relics from Vladimir to St Petersburg], I would like to present you with an icon of this saint, the patron saint of the city that is dear to you and me.

President of Russia Vladimir Putin: Thank you.

Patriarch Kirill: So that he would protect you as a warrior, empower you, especially in cases when you need to use force to protect Russia and our Fatherland from all evil.

Vladimir Putin: Thank you very much for this icon and for everything you are doing for the Russian people and for other peoples of the country – strengthening our faith and our fundamental values.

Interestingly, the first monastery which Peter the Great founded in a new place – on the site of the future capital, was dedicated to Alexander Nevsky. It was done for a reason.

Patriarch Kirill: Indeed.

Vladimir Putin: So he is the guardian of the Russian statehood and, in fact, the saviour of the Russian ethnos without any exaggeration. And the deeds by Alexander Nevsky and Peter the Great and their feats resonated across the time.

Patriarch Kirill: Yes, absolutely. And it’s amazing: Alexander Nevsky did not fight with the Khans because the Khans needed our money and gave a powerful rebuff to the Teutons because they wanted our souls; he sorted out very smartly these enemies and adversaries.

Vladimir Putin: Absolutely. And such relations that he established with the Horde, created conditions for the preservation of Russian identity. That was the most important thing.

Patriarch Kirill: To build up strength.

Thank you, Mr President.

Vladimir Putin: Thank you.