Putin gave Orthodox Church famed icon because of its importance to believers: Kremlin

A security guard stands next to the Trinity icon at the Trinity Lavra of St. Sergius in the town of Sergiyev Posad, Russia, July 18, 2022. The famous icon, which was created by Russian painter Andrei Rublev in the 15th century, was delivered from the State Tretyakov Gallery to the cathedral for celebrations marking the 600th anniversary of the uncovering of the relics of Saint Sergius of Radonezh. REUTERS/Maxim Shemetov/File Photo

(Reuters) - Russian President Vladimir Putin has decided to hand over the historic 15th-century Trinity icon from a museum to the Russian Orthodox Church because of its importance to believers, the Kremlin's spokesman said on Tuesday.The Church, whose conservatism Putin has espoused as part of his vision for Russia's national identity, is one of the most ardent institutional supporters of Russia’s war in Ukraine.

Its head, Patriarch Kirill, said last year that those who died fighting in Ukraine would be purged of their sins.