A large religious procession, which will unite five different parades, will take place in St. Petersburg to mark the 300th anniversary of the transfer of the relics of the holy righteous prince Alexander Nevsky from Vladimir to the city on the Neva. The celebrations will be led by the Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia, Kirill, as announced by Governor Alexander Beglov in an interview with TASS. “The traditional pedestrian procession from Kazan Cathedral to Alexander Nevsky Square will be preceded by two other events. First, the same route will be covered by a motorcycle procession, uniting over 100 bikers from well-known motorcycle clubs of the city. Following that, a horseback procession will take place — participants will ride in historical costumes. Also, on the day of the celebration, there will be a water procession from the walls of the Shlisselburg Fortress. All participants of the processions will be met at Alexander Nevsky Square by those in the small procession. This small procession will be led by Patriarch Kirill. It will depart from the Annunciation Church of the Alexander Nevsky Lavra with the relics of the great saint.” The water procession from the Oreshok Fortress to the Alexander Nevsky Lavra will be held in memory of the fact that the final part of the journey was made by water in 1724. Participants will transport an ancient icon of Saint Alexander Nevsky from the 17th century with a particle of his relics from the Lavra. In the Oreshok Fortress, a commemorative sign will be unveiled, and a prayer service will be held near the ruins of the John the Baptist Church, where the relics were stored in 1723-1724. Upon arrival in St. Petersburg, at the Sinop Embankment near the Lavra, reconstituted Peter the Great-era ships, led by the battleship "Poltava" and Peter I's botik, as well as modern sailing ships, will be lined up for the ceremonial welcome. Then, the participants of the water procession will proceed to Alexander Nevsky Square. The festive procession of the faithful on the Day of the Transfer of the Relics of Alexander Nevsky is considered one of the most significant events for the St. Petersburg Metropolis. At noon, the festive ceremony at Alexander Nevsky Square will begin with a solemn service and the passage of the Honor Guard. Also, on this day, according to tradition, there will be a ceremony awarding the St. Petersburg Government Prize for achievements in strengthening national unity, preserving cultural and historical heritage named after Alexander Nevsky. At 4 p.m., in the courtyard of the Lavra, there will be folk festivities with performances by amateur creative groups and professional artists. The celebration program will conclude with the performance of the opera "Alexander Nevsky" at the State Academic Chapel of St. Petersburg. The opera was written six years ago by the contemporary Russian composer Grair Khanedanyan. For three centuries, Prince Alexander Nevsky has been revered as the heavenly patron of St. Petersburg, and the day when his relics were transferred to the city has become a church-state holiday. Among Russian saints, the prince holds a special place as the heavenly patron of Russian soldiers, protector of faith and the Fatherland.