Uncovering of the relics of the Venerable Alexander the Abbot of Svir

Commemorated on April 17
Saint Alexander of Svir died on August 30, 1533. His in-corrupt relics were uncovered in 1641 during the reconstruction of the Transfiguration cathedral.

The incorrupt relics of the saint were removed from the Svir Monastery by the Bolsheviks on December 20, 1918 after several unsuccessful attempts to confiscate them. There was an infamous campaign to liquidate the relics of the saints which continued from 1919 to 1922. Many relics of Russian saints were stolen and subjected to "scientific examination" or displayed in anti religious museums. Some were completely destroyed.

Hoping to prove that the relics were fakes, the Soviets conducted many tests. However, the tests only confirmed that the relics were genuine. Finally, the holy relics were sent to Petrograd's Military Medical Academy. There they remained for nearly eighty years.

A second uncovering of St Alexander's relics took place in December 1997.

The relics were found to be in-corrupt, just as they were when they were confiscated. The saint's appearance matched the description in the records from 1641. Once it was determined that these were in fact the relics of St Alexander, Metropolitan Vladimir of St Petersburg permitted them to be taken to the church of St Sophia and her three daughters Faith, Hope, and Love (September 17) for four months before their return to the Svir Monastery. As people venerated St Alexander's relics they noticed a fragrant myrrh flowing from them.

The holy relics were taken to the St Alexander of Svir Monastery in November 1998, and miraculous healings continue to take place before them.

See August 30 for the Life of St Alexander.

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SAINT OR FEAST POSTED THIS DATE 2010(with 2009's link here also and further, 2008's):