Military Glory Day: Belarusians pay tribute to ancestors who defeated Moscow Principality
The official authorities may keep ignoring Belarus’ Day of Military Glory, but Belarusians do remember the glorious victory over Moscow troops near Orsha on september 8, 1514 and every years come to the battlefield to honor the dead.
A wooden cross with the inscription ‘To Heroes of Orsha’ was erected at the site of the battle.
Here people say prayers for the dead ancestors who defended their land.
The Muscovites felt sure of success: the Grand Principality of Lithuania had only 34,000 troops against their eighty-thousand army.
The invasion caught our ancestors at a weak moment: within several years the Principality lost about a third of its territory in the east. The enemy had exceptionally large forces at their command and pursued the offensive.
A memorial sign.
In the battle of Orsha Muscovites suffered a devastating defeat: the Grand principality of Lithuania lost 4,000 fighters, the enemy – ten times as much. 4,000 ‘guests from the east’, including military governors, were taken captive.
All photos:
Photos by Vyachaslau Radzimich
