On August 2, celebrations dedicated to the holiday “Ilyin Day on Ilyinka Street” and the 92nd anniversary of the formation of Airborne Troops were held on Ilyinka Street and Red Square in Moscow.
It is believed that “Ilyin’s Day” connects the past and the living generations. Russian Russian tsars and patriarchs, the Russian army and the people marched in procession from the Kremlin to the temple of the Prophet of God Elijah on Ilyinka every year on this day, stopping at the Place of the Forehead to perform a prayer service to the saint. After a long oblivion, the celebration of Elijah’s Day was revived in 2003, the holiday became a good Moscow tradition and acquired the status of a social and church event.
Also on August 2, the day of formation of Airborne Troops is celebrated. On this day, officers, soldiers and veterans of the Airborne Forces come to the Ilyinka church to honor their Heavenly Patron – the Prophet of God Elijah.
An early prayer service was held in Moscow on Ilyinka Street, a festive divine service in the temple of the Prophet of God Elijah in Kitay-Gorod, a procession from the temple to the Frontal Place on Red Square, a prayer service to the holy Prophet of God Elijah on the Frontal Place. Also, a festive concert “For Russia, for Mine” is held until 16 o’clock, and free excursions to the ancient temple of the Prophet of God Elijah of the XVI century are held for visitors.
The Song and Dance Ensemble of the Airborne Forces, the Moscow Cossack Choir, the Moscow Yar Song Theater, Honored Artist of Russia Viktor Sorokin, as well as other creative teams will take part in the festive concert. The director of the festive concert is Marina Gavrish.
The organizers of the holiday are the Temple of the Prophet of God Elijah in the Novgorod courtyard, the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of the Russian Federation, the Command of the Airborne Troops, with the participation of the All-Russian public-state organization DOSAAF of Russia, veteran organizations: “Council of Veterans of the Airborne Forces”, “Union of Paratroopers of Russia”, “Combat Brotherhood”, “Officers of Russia” at With the support of the Moscow Government, the CAO Prefecture of Moscow, the Prophet of God Elijah Charitable Foundation, the Moscow State Educational Institution “Association of Cultural Centers of the Western Administrative District” and a number of other organizations.
