Restoration Work Reveals Well-Preserved Relics of Grand Duke Dmitry Donskoy

MOSCOW — The remarkably well-preserved relics of the holy and faithful Grand Duke Dmitry Donskoy were uncovered in July 2026 during emergency restoration work at the Archangel Cathedral of the Moscow Kremlin.

The discovery occurred after subsidence of the cathedral’s floor slabs created a threat to the historic tombs beneath them. As restorers dismantled the floor and opened the crypt near the cathedral’s southern wall, they uncovered three solid white-stone sarcophagi. The sarcophagus of St. Dmitry Donskoy was opened after specialists found cracks in its lid that threatened to cause part of it to collapse and damage the remains inside.

Archaeologists and anthropologists examining the burial found the relics substantially complete and in anatomical order, with the exception of part of the left foot. Areas of preserved soft tissue were also present, while the bones showed no signs of postmortem damage and were found to be remarkably well preserved.

The researchers also identified features consistent with historical accounts of Dmitry Donskoy, including an old, healed injury and evidence of significant physical exertion. The combined historical, archaeological, and anthropological evidence confirmed the authenticity of the relics.

On Aug. 18, Patr. Kirill celebrated a prayer service before the newly uncovered relics and blessed the placement of several fragments in reliquaries for veneration by the faithful.

Previously, the UOJ reported that a relic of St. Herman of Alaska was to visit South Florida.