Saint Alexander Nevsky

Alexander Yaroslavich Nevsky was Prince of Novgorod (1236–1240; 1241–1256; 1258–1259) and Grand Prince of Vladimir (1252–1263). A grandson of Vsevolod the Big Nest, Nevsky rose to legendary status after victories over Swedish invaders in the Battle of the Neva (1240), which earned him the title "Nevsky" in the 15th century, and over German crusaders in the Battle on the Ice (1242). He agreed to pay tribute to the Golden Horde, which allowed him to preserve the Eastern Orthodox Church, while fighting against foreign powers to the west and the south. Macarius, Metropolitan of Moscow canonized Alexander Nevsky as a saint of the Russian Orthodox Church in 1547. Regarded long after his death as "one of the great heroes of Russian history", Nevsky is credited with having "saved the Russian people from Catholicism and being enslaved by the Germans". Nevsky's successes led his image to be used by Peter the Great in the construction of Saint Petersburg. His image was also used to promote patriotism in the Soviet Union, especially during World War II. The 1938 film Alexander Nevsky cemented Nevsky's reputation as a Russian savior. Critics of his legacy argue that the size and importance of his military victories were exaggerated for political purposes, and that he helped ensure the Golden Horde's dominance over Russia. Born in Pereslavl-Zalessky on 13 May 1221, or 30 May 1220 based on the old historiographic tradition, Alexander was the second son of Grand Prince Yaroslav II of Vladimir. His mother was Feodosia Mstislavna, daughter of Mstislav Mstislavich. He spent most of his youth in Pereslavl-Zalessky. Little is known about the activities of Yaroslav's children before 1238. Alexander's eldest brother Fyodor died in 1233 at the age of 14.