15th century by Andrei Rublev Trinity icon will remain at the Cathedral of Christ the Savior in Moscow for a month longer than planned until July 18, despite assurances from the Russian Ministry of Culture that it will only be there for two weeks before being sent for restoration.
A short statement on the Moscow Patriarchate’s website on Friday evening June 16 heralded the latest twist in the fate of the icon, who has played a central role in Russian history for centuries.
“Irresponsible statements about the alleged sabotage by the Russian Ministry of Culture of the execution of the order of the President of the Russian Federation to transfer the icon for the use of the Church have no basis”, the statement said.
The icon, Russia’s most famous work of art, has been housed in the State Tretyakov Gallery since 1929 after it was seized by the Soviet state. Last month, Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered icon handover of Tretyakov to the Russian Orthodox Church. The return is widely seen as Putin’s thanks to Patriarch Kirill I for his vocal support for Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
The new transfer date, July 18, is the feast day of St. Sergius of Radonezh, which is linked to Russia’s 14th-century victory over the Mongol invaders. The patriarch said the icon would return to the monastery near Moscow founded by St. Sergius, where it was kept.
An equally abrupt announcement on the church’s website in May preceded the icon transfer at the cathedral for the celebration of Pentecost on June 4. The transcript of a meeting of restaurateurs at the Tretyakov before the move detailing fears over the icon’s condition has been leaked on social media. Archpriest Leonid Kalinin, who represented the church at the meeting, said a high-tech capsule should be created to protect the icon if the “political will” prompts its transfer. He was immediately fired and banned from serving by Patriarch Kirill
The official Tass news agency reported on Saturday that up to 6,000 pilgrims a day worship the icon, which is kept behind glass in the center of the cathedral.
Deputy Culture Minister Sergei Obryvalin informed Tretyakov last week that the Trinity would be sent to the Grabar Art Conservation Center in Moscow rather than the museum.
