Russian Authorities Use Pskov Iconography for War Propaganda

• The Russian state and the Russian Orthodox Church are using traditional Pskov-style iconography to promote the invasion of Ukraine.
• New icons depicting deceased Russian paratroopers have been placed in the historic Church of Saints Cosmas and Damian of Primostye in Pskov.
• These visual representations are being utilized to frame the war as morally and spiritually justified.

Context and Background

• The icons feature St. Nicholas of Mozhaysk and St. Rusticus of Paris, with deceased soldiers from the 76th Air Assault Division portrayed at the feet of the saints.
• While placing donors or soldiers in religious art is a long-standing Orthodox tradition, critics argue that these modern examples serve a explicit political purpose.
• By placing soldiers within the sacred space of traditional Pskov art, the state aims to give their deaths a sense of religious sanctity.

Historic Significance

• The Church of Saints Cosmas and Damian of Primostye, founded in 1462, is a UNESCO World Heritage site and a prominent example of the Pskov school of architecture.
• Historically, the Pskov Republic existed as an independent city-state until it was annexed by Moscow in 1510, highlighting a significant departure from the region's original cultural autonomy.