Translation. Region: Russian Federation –
Source: Peoples'Friendship University of Russia
An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.
Since 2004, Russia has celebrated National Unity Day on November 4. For the university, which houses students from approximately 170 countries, this date is imbued with special meaning. It is an opportunity to recall a deep historical tradition that directly resonates with the university's modern mission.
The historical root of the holiday: the end of the Time of Troubles
To understand the essence of the holiday, we must travel back to the early 17th century. This period, known as the Time of Troubles, was one of the most difficult in Russian history. The state was torn apart by social conflicts, pretenders succeeded one another on the throne, famine and devastation engulfed the country, and Polish and Swedish invaders invaded. Authority was so weakened that Polish troops occupied Moscow for two whole years—from 1610 to 1612.
In response to the intervention, a national liberation movement unfolded in Russia. For 15 months and 9 days, monks and laity held the Trinity Monastery of St. Sergius against the Polish forces and False Dmitry II. Patriarch Hermogenes of Moscow and All Rus' appealed to the people to expel the invaders and defend the Orthodox faith. He sent letters throughout the unoccupied lands calling for the formation of people's militias. Hermogenes suffered for his stance. The Poles imprisoned him, where he died in February 1612.
The first militia, led by Ryazan voivode Prokopy Petrovich Lyapunov, failed to build on its success on the approaches to Moscow due to conflicting interests and inadequate preparation. The second militia was led by Nizhny Novgorod mayor Kuzma Minin and Prince Dmitry Mikhailovich Pozharsky. They demonstrated that all strata of society could rise to defend the Fatherland.
The desire to liberate Russia united representatives of various classes—from peasants and tradesmen to Cossacks, clergy, nobles, and boyars. In late September 1612, the army of Pozharsky and Minin joined forces with the Cossacks led by the boyar-voivode Prince Dmitry Timofeevich Trubetskoy. On November 4, 1612 (New Style), Kitai-Gorod was stormed and the Kremlin was besieged. Two days later, the Polish garrison capitulated. In honor of their victory, the heroic liberators held a parade.
Elena Kryazheva-Kartseva
Head of the Department of Russian History, Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, RUDN University
The Time of Troubles did not end with the liberation of Moscow from the invaders, as the country still lacked a ruler. Therefore, the Council of the Entire Land—the highest authority in the entire territory liberated from the invaders—initiated the convening of the Zemsky Sobor, to which representatives of all social classes were invited. Thus, Mikhail Feodorovich Romanov became tsar by the decision of the entire people.
From history to modern times
The memory of Minin and Pozharsky's heroic deeds lived on for centuries. Eventually, Muscovites decided to erect a monument to the militia heroes, Kuzma Minin and Dmitry Pozharsky. The sculpture was created by I.P. Martos with donations from people across Russia. On February 20, 1818 (Old Style), the monument was erected in the center of Red Square, and in 1931, it was moved to St. Basil's Cathedral. In the 19th century, there were also plans to erect a monument to Patriarch Hermogenes, but it wasn't until 2013 that it was realized. The sculpture was finally erected in the Alexander Garden near the Eternal Flame.
As for November 4th, back in 1649, Tsar Alexei Mikhailovich declared this date (according to the new calendar) a national holiday—the Day of the Kazan Icon of the Mother of God. This icon accompanied the Second Militia into battle.
The participants of the campaign prayed to her for Russia's salvation, and after their victory, they held a procession with the cross. Significantly, Saint Arseny of Elasson emerged from the Kremlin to meet the militiamen with the Vladimir Icon of the Mother of God. Thus, the two miraculous icons of the Intercessor of the Russian Land met. The Day of the Kazan Icon of the Mother of God was celebrated until 2017, but the tradition was interrupted after the revolution.
Elena Kryazheva-Kartseva
The revival of the holiday in 2004, at the initiative of the Interreligious Council of Russia, was an act of restoring historical memory. National Unity Day was established not simply as a replacement for the Soviet-era November 7 (October Revolution Day), but as a return to the original, pre-revolutionary tradition. It symbolizes the continuity of Russian history and the people's ability to unite in the face of external and internal challenges.
Unity in Diversity
What does "unity" mean in the 21st century, especially within the walls of an international university? It's synergy, where strength is born from diversity.
Minin and Pozharsky are an example of a successful brotherhood. Minin, a representative of the people, raised funds for the militia and inspired them to a common cause. Pozharsky, a prince and military commander, devised a sound strategy and successfully led the military operations. Their success was made possible by the unification of different classes for a common goal—the salvation of the Fatherland.
For RUDN University, this example is more relevant than ever. Students from Asia, Africa, Latin America, and Europe, studying engineering, medicine, and linguistics together, are a modern "people's militia." Only their goal is not military victory, but civil victory. Victory over ignorance, disunity, and the global challenges facing humanity.
National Unity Day reminds us that our differences are a source of strength. The ability to negotiate, understand each other, and unite around shared human values makes us truly united.
Please note: This information is raw content obtained directly from the source. It represents an accurate account of the source's assertions and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.