On Sunday 13 September, the conference “The Patriotic War of 1812: a reference point for the spirituality and culture of modern Russia” took place at the Russian Orthodox Church of Saints Sergius, Seraphim and Vincent the Martyr in Milan. A large audience attended; the guests of honour were Russian Consul Danis Bashirov and his accompanying guest.
Dr Bashirov opened the conference by recalling the importance of the Patriotic War of 1812 as a defining moment for the Russian people and for Europe as a whole.
Hieromonk Silouan Yaroslavtsev, rector of the Milan church, highlighted the spiritual meaning of the Patriotic War of 1812 and the Battle of Borodino.
Dr Adriano Frinchi, deacon of the Russian Orthodox Church of Saint Catherine the Martyr in Rome, outlined the stories of four Orthodox priests.
Professor Mikhail Talalay, a historian of the Russian Academy of Sciences, joining remotely, told the story of Via Moscova, which in fact ought to be called Via Borodino.
Finally, Dr Antonio Imperatore, the Circle’s delegate for Italy, outlined the historical and military framework of the 1812 war and the Battle of Borodino, then turning to Prince Pëtr Ivanovič Bagration.
Dr Marco Baratto, an Italian historian and specialist in military history, followed the conference remotely.