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Some 10,000 people lined up at Moscow’s main cathedral to see the preserved right hand of a fourth-century Christian saint
Source: Meduza
The relics of St. Spyridon of Trimythous have arrived in Moscow. They will remain at the Cathedral of Christ the Savior from September 15 to 20. A reliquary containing the saint’s right hand was brought to Russia from the Greek island of Corfu on August 20. Before arriving in Moscow, the relics made stops in 12 Russian cities. According to the Russian Orthodox Church, about 10,000 people were waiting in line to enter the Cathedral of Christ the Savior as of 1 p.m. Moscow time. The estimated wait was about five hours. This is the fourth time the relics of St. Spyridon of Trimythous have been brought to Russia, following visits in 2007, 2010, and 2018. In previous years, enormous lines have also formed outside the Cathedral of Christ the Savior when especially revered Christian relics were brought to Moscow. In November 2011, for example, nearly one million people visited the cathedral over several days to see the Belt of the Virgin Mary. At one point, pilgrims waited in line for more than 24 hours.
Yuri Kochetkov / IMAGO / RIA Novosti / Sputnik / Scanpix / LETA