In Photos: Renowned Orthodox Icon Displayed at Moscow Cathedral
Russia's most famous icon and one of the most important works in Russian art history, Andrei Rublev's "Trinity," has been put on display at Moscow's Christ the Savior Cathedral despite significant controversy.
Art historians and experts have warned that the 600-year-old "Trinity" is in such a fragile state that moving it from Moscow's Tretyakov Gallery — where it had been kept since 1929 — could damage it irreparably.
Nonetheless, President Vladimir Putin ordered the icon to be handed to the Russian Orthodox Church, reflecting the Kremlin's deepening use of religion to rally patriotic sentiment.
Some political observers have called Putin's move a spiritual decision dictated by the difficult situation on the front line in Ukraine.
Following its display at Christ the Savior Cathedral, the icon will be brought to the Trinity Lavra of St. Sergius in Sergiyev Posad northeast of Moscow.
Here is a look at photos from the icon's installation at Christ the Savior Cathedral:
Art historians and experts have warned that the 600-year-old "Trinity" is in such a fragile state that moving it from Moscow's Tretyakov Gallery — where it had been kept since 1929 — could damage it irreparably.
Nonetheless, President Vladimir Putin ordered the icon to be handed to the Russian Orthodox Church, reflecting the Kremlin's deepening use of religion to rally patriotic sentiment.
Some political observers have called Putin's move a spiritual decision dictated by the difficult situation on the front line in Ukraine.
Following its display at Christ the Savior Cathedral, the icon will be brought to the Trinity Lavra of St. Sergius in Sergiyev Posad northeast of Moscow.
Here is a look at photos from the icon's installation at Christ the Savior Cathedral:
An officer from Russia's National Guard (Rosgvardia) looks at the "Trinity."
Yaroslav Chingaev / Moskva News Agency
The icon was unveiled at Christ the Savior Cathedral on the holiday of Trinity Sunday.
Yaroslav Chingaev / Moskva News Agency
While "Trinity" depicts the three angels who visited Abraham at the Oak of Mamre, the highly symbolic painting is interpreted as an icon of the Holy Trinity.
Yaroslav Chingaev / Moskva News Agency
Under the leadership of Patriarch Kirill, the Russian Orthodox Church has strongly backed the war in Ukraine, calling on supporters to rally to fight Moscow's "external and internal enemies."
Yaroslav Chingaev / Moskva News Agency
With the military campaign in Ukraine stalling, Russian authorities have been increasingly willing to depict the offensive in religious terms.
Yaroslav Chingaev / Moskva News Agency
Andrei Rublev was commissioned to paint "Trinity" in honor of St. Sergius of Radonezh of the Trinity Lavra of St. Sergius, a monastery in Sergiyev Posad that is the spiritual center of the Russian Orthodox Church. Little else is known about its history.
Yaroslav Chingaev / Moskva News Agency
Because the icon requires a precise climate and humidity, experts warn that transporting the icon to the Trinity Lavra of St. Sergius — where it will be exposed to factors like candle smoke and a varying climate — will permanently damage it.
Yaroslav Chingaev / Moskva News Agency
Patriarch Kirill, the head of the Russian Orthodox Church, leads a Divine Liturgy on Holy Trinity Day at Christ the Savior Cathedral.
Yaroslav Chingaev / Moskva News Agency
Church leaders have insisted they have every means at their disposal to preserve the precious icon.
Yaroslav Chingaev / Moskva News Agency
But members of the Russian Academy of Sciences in an open letter to the culture minister said the icon cannot be moved, "even for a short period of time," and that only a museum could ensure the preservation of the icon.
"Masterpieces of Russian icon painting and national treasures should not be exposed to unjustified risks," the letter warned.
"Masterpieces of Russian icon painting and national treasures should not be exposed to unjustified risks," the letter warned.
Yaroslav Chingaev / Moskva News Agency
