A reproduction of the “Trinity” with the patriarch was exhibited in the St. Daniel’s Monastery

In Moscow, in the Patriarchal and Synodal Residence in the St. Daniel’s Monastery, a reproduction of the “Holy Trinity” icon by Andrey Rublev, on which Patriarch Kirill is drawn, was exhibited. Deacon Andrey Kuraev drew attention to the painting.

The patriarch “deified himself and became the fourth person of the Trinity right in his lifetime”, wrote Kuraev and added that this is a political signal for the participants of the “church-state partnership”. “If I am admitted to such a table (the Trinity table), then there will be no bazaar about my garters in the Kremlin!”, Kuraev commented on the picture.

The picture appeared back in 2012. It was written by Igor Babailov. According to the artist’s website, after seeing his portrait against the background of three angels, Patriarch Kirill said: “My best portrait that has ever been painted.”

The Russian Orthodox Church did not separately present the version of the “Trinity” with Patriarch Kirill. Yesterday, attention was drawn to the canvas after it appeared in some photos from the meeting of the Holy Synod.

Last year, the original Trinity icon, painted in the 15th century by Andrei Rublev, became the cause of conflict between the Russian Orthodox Church and the Tretyakov Gallery and the museum community. One of the most famous Russian icons was stored in the museum at the required humidity and temperature, but in the summer of 2022 it was transferred to the Trinity-Sergius Lavra for a few days. It was claimed that when the work was returned, 61 damages were found on it.

In May 2023, Vladimir Putin ordered to hand over “Trinity” to the Russian Orthodox Church. It was planned that it would be in the Cathedral of Christ the Savior in Moscow for an hour, and then it would be exhibited in the Trinity Cathedral of the Holy Trinity Sergius Lavra.

This was sharply opposed by the museum community and a number of Russian scientists who believe that keeping the icon outside the museum space will lead to its destruction.

Archpriest Leonid Kalinin, chairman of the ROC art council, who agreed with the specialists of the Tretyakov Gallery that the “Trinity” cannot be transferred due to its condition, was removed from his post and banned from serving by Patriarch Kirill.

Now “Troitsa” is located in the All-Russian Art Scientific and Restoration Center named after Academician I.E. Undertaker The decision on whether “Trinity” needs restoration will be made at a meeting of the expanded restoration council. His date has not yet been announced.