Russian scientists will try to decode the genome of the holy Grand Duke Dmitry Donskoy. They will work on a piece of his relics, which were handed over to researchers, Maria Dobrovolskaya, head of the Laboratory of Contextual Anthropology at the Institute of Archaeology of the Russian Academy of Sciences, told TASS.

At the same time, the specialist warned that it was impossible to predict the outcome of such work in advance. A lot depends on how well the genetic material has been preserved.

According to Dobrovolskaya, paleogenetics is a very young field of science. It involves genome-wide sequencing of ancient DNA, which is carried out in special laboratories.

Let us remind you that a key event in the church and historical life of the country took place on August 18: restorers working at the Archangel Cathedral stumbled upon the untouched burial of the prince. Anthropological scientists promptly confirmed that the remains belonged to this particular saint. Now, by the decision of Patriarch Kirill, the holy relics will be broken up into particles, which will soon be sent to dioceses to decorate many churches throughout Russia.