The Holy Synod of the Russian Orthodox Church took a formal step to terminate the Order of Tsarevich Demetrius as a church-wide honor. This decision was announced by the Office for External Church Relations of the Moscow Patriarchate, clarifying that no further awards will be conferred under this specific decoration.
The year’s final gathering of the Holy Synod was hosted at the Patriarchal and Synodal residence within the Danilov Monastery in Moscow, under the leadership of Patriarch Kirill. During this session, the regulations governing church awards were revised, resulting in the abolition of the Order of Holy Tsarevich Demetrius as a recognized award across the Russian Orthodox Church.
Historically, the three-degree Order of Tsarevich Dmitry the Just was established by a directive from Alexy in collaboration with the Russian Children’s Fund. Its purpose was to honor individuals and organizations that provided exemplary care and protection for children facing hardship, with particular emphasis on the disabled, orphans, and street children. From 2018 through 2022, a total of eighteen recipients were recognized under this award.
Tsarevich Dmitry, the youngest son of Tsar Ivan the Terrible, perished in Uglich in 1591 at the age of eight under circumstances that remain disputed. Critics of the future Tsar Boris Godunov accused Dmitry of being involved in the deaths that ignited Russia’s Time of Troubles, a period marked by political upheaval and the emergence of impostors claiming princely lineage. The era culminated in 1613 with the restoration of order and the establishment of a new dynasty. Among the most famous impostors were False Dmitry I and False Dmitry II.
In 1606, Tsarevich Dmitry was canonized as a revered figure known as the miracle-worker of Uglich, Moscow, and all Russia, and his memory became a focal point of veneration. The memorial day associated with him is observed on May 28 (May 15 in the old calendar).
Recent ceremonial acts included Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia presenting the Patriarchal temple-building badge to the head of the country’s Ministry of Internal Affairs, a gesture reflecting ongoing collaboration between church and state institutions in recognizing service to the community.
In related developments, discussions of domestic policy have continued to influence public discourse and legal considerations surrounding social welfare and protection for vulnerable groups. The broader dialogue remains centered on safeguarding human dignity, improving safeguarding mechanisms for families and children, and ensuring robust oversight of institutions dedicated to public welfare.