02:19Russia: Holy relics given cosmonauts to boost spirits during ISS mission
Parts of the holy relics of Saint Seraphim of Sarov were handed to the Russian cosmonauts from the Cosmonauts' Training Centre, who will take them to the International Space Station (ISS) to protect the expedition members and strengthen their spirit, during a service in the village of Diveyevo, Friday. The official ceremony took place in the Seraphim-Diveyevo Convent.
Speaking on the initiative, Metropolitan Georgi of Nizhny Novgorod and Arzamas stated that "the cosmonauts have addressed the church and asked to bless part of holy relics of Saint Seraphim of Sarov," before adding "They have an intention to take it to the International Space Station and conduct a special prayer there,"."
Russian cosmonaut Sergei Zalyotin believes that the holy relics could strengthen the general spirit of the expedition members and "to some extent avert Russian people from the militant atheism and make us close to real faith."
The relics are to be launched to the ISS on September 23 from Baikonur Cosmodrome and will spend 155 days on the Earth's orbit.
02:19Parts of the holy relics of Saint Seraphim of Sarov were handed to the Russian cosmonauts from the Cosmonauts' Training Centre, who will take them to the International Space Station (ISS) to protect the expedition members and strengthen their spirit, during a service in the village of Diveyevo, Friday. The official ceremony took place in the Seraphim-Diveyevo Convent.
Speaking on the initiative, Metropolitan Georgi of Nizhny Novgorod and Arzamas stated that "the cosmonauts have addressed the church and asked to bless part of holy relics of Saint Seraphim of Sarov," before adding "They have an intention to take it to the International Space Station and conduct a special prayer there,"."
Russian cosmonaut Sergei Zalyotin believes that the holy relics could strengthen the general spirit of the expedition members and "to some extent avert Russian people from the militant atheism and make us close to real faith."
The relics are to be launched to the ISS on September 23 from Baikonur Cosmodrome and will spend 155 days on the Earth's orbit.