"For the sake of the Russian land". The Presidential Library marks the 800th anniversary of Alexander Nevsky

St. Prince Alexander Nevsky, who did not lose a single battle, was born on May 13, 1221. According to the Decree of the President of Russia, 2021 marks the 800th anniversary of one of the most significant and honourable figures in Russian history.

Celebrating this anniversary, the Presidential Library improved the collection Alexander Nevsky (1221-1263). The collection consists of the sections Life and Deeds of Alexander Nevsky and Memory of Alexander Nevsky. It includes historical research, essays, biographies, lives, speeches, numerous documents, archival and graphic materials. The collection tells about the age, reign and deeds of Prince Alexander Yaroslavovich.

The beginning of the XIII century was a difficult time for Russia. The doctor of theology, historian Pyotr Kazansky writes in the book The Life of the Holy Blessed Grand Prince Alexander Nevsky, or Alexey in Great Schema (1871): "Russia was divided into numerous small states. The war was a way of life of the princes: they struggled with each other for the same possessions... <...> Taking into consideration these affairs, mean neighbours invaded Russia, destroyed everything that remained after civil conflicts, captured property and slaves... <...> German knights settled at the northwestern borders of Novgorod. They conquered the former Russian territories with fire and sword and enforced the Latin faith. <…> In 1237 and 1238, huge hordes of pagan Tatars invaded Russia...".

In these severe times, Prince Alexander "was designated by God to the Russian land". According to historical chronicles, Alexander was born in May 1221 in Pereslavl-Zalessky. He was the second son of the Pereyaslavl (later Kiev and Vladimir) Prince Yaroslav Vsevolodovich.

The essay The Life of the Holy Blessed Grand Prince Alexander Nevsky, or Alexey in Great Schema (1853) states that "various trials and hardships in childhood formed a man of settled character, a Christian. He always considered life as hard work, not a means of enjoyment and peace. He was ready for any feat, no matter how difficult it could be. His only task was the salvation of the soul and the good of others".

The personality of Prince Alexander was formed in difficult conditions. "St. Prince Alexander Yaroslavich was a very brave and courageous knight; he had a noble heart, his mind was bright, his appearance gave an impression of decisiveness. He was kind more than it was necessary, went gently and was very cordial with everyone. <...> Alexander Yaroslavich, as all great generals, was distinguished by extraordinary courage and bravery. He took part in many campaigns, two of them were especially remarkable: the Neva Battle and the Battle on the Ice", - states the brochure St. Warrior Prince Alexander Yaroslavich Nevsky (1905).

This edition describes the Neva battle with the Swedes at the mouth of the Izhora. "The battle was terrible, they fought from morning to evening. However, the brave Swedes could not withstand the quick and bold attacks of the small Russian squad and retreated with shameful weakness, more simply, they escaped". After this victory, people gave to the young commander the name of Nevsky.

Pyotr Kazansky summed up the results of the battle on the Lake Peipus: "The memory of "the Battle on Ice'' - that is how this battle was called - has been preserved for a long time... People commemorated the killed soldiers in Pskov churches for many centuries. <…>. The enemy recognized the importance of victory. The Germans longed to ask for peace and the exchange of prisoners; they not only abandoned Pskov, Luga and Vodskaya Territory but returned a part of Letgallia to Novgorod... ". Thanks to Alexander Nevsky's victory, the threat of a serious German invasion of northern Russia was eliminated.

After victories in the west of Russia, there was a threat from the east: the main direction of Alexander's foreign policy were relations with the Golden Horde.

"Russia was not ready to fight the Tatars... Common sense demanded to preserve the national peace of Russia and raise the spirit of Christian piety. It also demanded to gather and strengthen the people, lay the foundation for its unity, encourage it with the hope of freedom... Prince Alexander Nevsky devoted his life to accomplish these great deeds that deserve eternal memory and glory", writes the author of the book The Life of the Holy Blessed Grand Prince Alexander Nevsky or Alexey in Great Schema.

Alexander Nevsky was both a noble warrior and a wise diplomat. In 1247, Prince Alexander went to the Volga to Khan Batu. The prince refused to follow the pagan rite, but "...Batu let him go with great honour and said to the folks around him: Truly, this Prince is the one!" - states the above-mentioned brochure St. Warrior Prince Alexander Yaroslavich Nevsky.

"The life and work of the Grand Prince Alexander Yaroslavich Nevsky, one of the most prominent Russian figures in the XIII century... is an excellent example of a wise reign, labour, energy and self-sacrifice - for the sake of the Russian land", says Grigory Kholodny's foreword to the publication The Life and Works of Grand Prince Alexander Yaroslavich Nevsky in Connection with Events in Rus' in the XIII Century (1883).

Alexander Yaroslavovich reigned until 1263. Returning from the Horde after successful negotiations, he fell ill and died on November 14. Before the death, he accepted the great schema with the name of Alexy. He was buried in the Nativity Monastery in Vladimir. In the 1280s, the veneration of Alexander Nevsky as a saint was launched in Vladimir. In 1370, his relics were found imperishable. He was canonized by the Russian Orthodox Church in 1547. In 1724, the relics of St. Alexander Nevsky were solemnly transferred to the Holy Trinity Cathedral of the Alexander Nevsky Lavra in Saint-Petersburg.