Pilgrimage tours: to the holy places of Russia

Sometimes doctors just shrug their shoulders in bewilderment when looking at pictures or tests of a person whom they declared terminally ill some time ago. And when they start asking questions, it turns out that their patient turned to higher powers and received healing.

What is more here - the healing power of holy places, relics and icons or processes launched by the subconscious - everyone can decide for themselves. Although there is no doubt that there are places in Russia that restore health. There is too much real evidence of miraculousness and creative power that defies logical explanation.

the site will tell you where in our country you can find help and get rid of various ailments with the help of Christian relics. Unfortunately, it is simply unrealistic to mention all such places, so we will limit ourselves to listing only a few of them.

Holy springs and healing places

Diveyevo holy springs

The village of Diveevo, located in the Diveevo district of the Nizhny Novgorod region, is famous primarily for the fact that Seraphim of Sarov lived and preached here, and for the fact that in the Seraphim-Diveevo monastery rest his relics, which have incredible healing power.

However, they are not the only ones that attract the suffering here. On the territory of the village there are also holy springs, each of which is endowed with special medicinal properties. From some bodies of water you can only drink , and some are equipped with comfortable baths. People come here with a variety of illnesses, and, according to those who have visited here, those who pray receive not only physical healing, but also relief from mental anguish.

In general, in Diveevo there are several relics that are considered miraculous. These are the relics of the elders of the Glinskaya heath (desert), and the relics of Martha of Diveyevo, and a copy from the icon of the Mother of God “Tenderness”, and the famous Holy Canal (editor’s note - among Christians, the path along which the Queen of Heaven passed). And all these shrines are credited with the ability to heal.

Alexander-Oshevensky Monastery

Holy places of Russia: where and how to ask for healing and health

The Orthodox monastery is located in the village of Oshevenskoye, Karpogol district, Arkhangelsk region. Unfortunately, it has not been completely preserved. Some buildings are being restored, but some, alas, cannot be restored. However, on the territory of the monastery there are several places overshadowed by the grace of the founder of this monastery - Alexander Oshevensky.

The first such notable place are two trail stones. It seems that a man stood on the boulders and left his footprints on them. According to legend, these are the footprints of Alexander Oshevensky. It is believed that if you step on the same footsteps, all ailments will disappear.

There is also a holy spring over which there is a cross. People believe that if you drink water from this spring, your sorrows will be quenched, fatigue will go away and melancholy, depression will stop. Once upon a time I rested next to this key Reverend Alexander and gained strength and spiritual humility.

And under the destroyed Cathedral of the Assumption Holy Mother of God the relics of Alexander Oshevensky himself rest. And, they say, if you stay there for a while, then any physical pain goes away.

Miraculous spring, village of Aleshnya

In the Dubrovsky district of the Bryansk region there is the village of Aleshnya. And in it is a holy spring. They say that once upon a time at this place pilgrims stopped for the night under a large spreading tree. But then one day lightning struck it, and it crumbled overnight. However, where it grew, there was a spring with healing powers.

It is believed that its waters especially help those who have problems with musculoskeletal system and heal wounds received during travel. This source is called the Thunder Well. Some time ago he was consecrated, that is, he received the blessing of the church.

Ullu-tau - mountain range of the central Caucasus, Mount Adyrsu

Holy places of Russia: where and how to ask for healing and health

Locals say that angels live on Ullu-tau and give healing to those who need it. And the foot of Mount Adyrsu is considered the most miraculous place. It was here that many generations of Aboriginal people brought the terminally ill and left them for a while. Miraculous healings occurred so often that it ceased to be surprising. Mothers who gave birth to weak and sick children also came here - and the babies also recovered.

Another famous copy of this icon is in the Church of the Holy Martyrs Faith, Nadezhda, Lyubov and Sophia at the Miusskoye Cemetery in Moscow. And here its myrrh-streaming is often observed (editor’s note – the appearance of oily moisture on icons), which is considered a sign of special miraculousness and healing power.

Savva Storozhevsky (Savva Zvenigorodsky)

Holy places of Russia: where and how to ask for healing and health

The relics of Savva Storozhesky, the first and most significant student of Sergius of Radonezh, rest in the Savvino-Starozhevsky Monastery in Zvenigorod. While still alive Rev. Savva famous for his healing gift. They came to him and simple people, and influential Moscow nobles. He never refused help or healing to anyone. And to this day such miraculous power emanates from the shrine (editor’s note – box, coffin) with his relics that physical and mental ailments go away.

The pilgrimage has long been revered throughout the world. Places of Orthodox pilgrimage in Russia, filled with sources of holiness, annually welcome thousands of travelers who want to be enriched by spiritual growth through contact with the shrine.

Who are pilgrims and when did they appear in Orthodoxy?

The word "pilgrim" is derived from "palm tree". After the death and Resurrection of Jesus, Christians around the world made trips to Jerusalem to Mount Calvary and the Holy Sepulcher, carrying palm branches in memory of the Savior’s solemn entry into the city before the celebration of Easter.

About Christ:

Pilgrimage to the Holy Land of Israel

Pilgrims, or, as they were called in Russia, pilgrims, traveled on foot, overcoming the hardships of the journey in fasting and prayer, in order to grow spiritually as they approached the shrine.

The final goal of the pilgrimage is one of the shrines revered in Orthodoxy:

• pieces of Jesus' clothing;
• the instruments of His death;
• pieces of the Life-Giving Cross;
• miraculous icons;
• graves of the Holy Saints;
• springs with the healing power of water.

The desire to be filled with spiritual strength drives wanderers to make long journeys in order to touch places consecrated by the presence of Jesus, the Virgin Mary, and saints. The desire to be filled with holiness and cleansed of sins gives strength to accomplish the feat of pilgrimage.

Some themselves demanded spiritual cleansing, while others were subject to penance. The main thing is that a person, going on a walk to places consecrated by shrines, temporarily renounced earthly riches and comforts, living practically in poverty.

Committing himself completely to the will of the Lord, a person rushed to the shrine in order to pray in a holy place and put on the new man. (Eph. 4:22-24).

The Old Testament says that the Jews tried to get to Jerusalem to celebrate Easter, which at that time symbolized the exit from Egyptian slavery, for which they hired ships, some made pedestrian crossings.

Overcoming the dusty roads of Anatolia, passing through the heated deserts of Cilicia, traveling through mountains and plains, the pilgrims took with them only the necessary things.

Wandering and pilgrimage

Sometimes the pilgrim life, filled with trials and dangers, lasted months and even years. The only guide for wandering pilgrims was the will of God and faith in His mercy.

Important! The pilgrimage was performed by spiritually believing people; in deprivation and suffering they grew in faith.

The feat of faith in ancient times also consisted in the fact that the pilgrim, leaving his family, did not know whether he would return back, surrendering himself to the will of the Creator.

Christian pilgrims

In the fourth century, by order of Queen Helena, it was found Life-giving cross on which Jesus was crucified. This event caused a stir among Christians, many of whom went on pilgrimages to the holy place in Jerusalem.

The veneration of places associated with the presence of the Savior spreads throughout Palestine, which began to be called the Holy Land. With the benevolence of Constantine the Great, pious excavations were carried out throughout the country, which do not stop to this day.

Archaeological excavations in Jerusalem

The Council of Nicea in 325 blessed the opening of the holy places of Palestine and Jerusalem.

At the site of the Nativity of Christ in Bethlehem, on Mount Calvary and the site of the Ascension, temples are built, which have become mandatory for pilgrimage trips to Palestine.

Features of Russian Orthodox pilgrimage

A special boom in pilgrimage in Russia began at the beginning of the twentieth century, which radically influenced people's lives. Russian shrines, God's people, elders and ascetics attracted pilgrims who wanted to strengthen their faith and cleanse themselves of filth.

The pilgrimage can be:

• One-day.

During one day, pilgrims can visit a nearby monastery or the grave of a saint. Most often this happens upon the arrival of a famous priest of high rank or the arrival of a healing icon, the remains of holy relics, or according to tradition to visit Holy place on certain days.

• To our neighbors.

Close pilgrimages take place within the same or nearby dioceses. Sometimes pilgrims go out for several days, living in monasteries, worshiping the shrine, which has become the goal of pilgrimage. The good glory of the holy place attracts wanderers from near and far villages, who make short pilgrimages several times a year.

• Distant.

Nowadays, as in ancient times, long pilgrimage trips are made to Athos, to the relics of St. Nicholas in Italy and other holy places.

Pilgrimage to the Shroud of Turin, Italy

The first wanderers took on the role of announcers, when in the first centuries it was necessary to move from village to village to spread news from the Church or temples. True wanderers had vows, a staff and a bag. They had no money and lived on the aid of the church they served.

In the eighteenth century, wanderers appeared in Russia, people who left the world. These pilgrims do not know where their journey will end. Having abandoned the blessings of the world, wanderers live in monasteries or near holy places, subsisting on alms. The whole world recognizes the feat of wandering.

The 19th century was the heyday of the pilgrimage movement in Russia.

If modern pilgrims dream of visiting the Holy Sepulcher, then in the old days pilgrims flocked to the Kiev Pechersk Lavra. It was a feat of pilgrimage to complete this trek on foot or in a cart, carrying only water and crackers.

About other places of pilgrimage:

• Holy Trinity Alexander Nevsky Lavra in St. Petersburg

Kiev-Pechersk Lavra

After the revolution, pilgrims and wanderers were persecuted, some of them were imprisoned for their faith. But the destroyed churches and monasteries in which shrines were kept did not cease to attract faithful Christians.

Purposes of pilgrimages

Pilgrims choose their path, as a rule, focusing not on distance, but on special reasons for life.

• True worshipers of Christ, while walking to holy places, seek strengthening in faith or wait for help in solving some difficult life issue.
• Apostasy from the Church often prompts pilgrims to go on hiking trips to atone for the sin of apostasy, their own or that of someone close to them.
• The oppressive sins of youth are the reason why people go on pilgrimage.
• Incurable illnesses or absence of children become the purpose of Orthodox pilgrimages.
• Votive pilgrimages are very important, when in some situation a person makes a vow to God, if the outcome is positive, to make a pilgrimage to certain places.

Modern pilgrimage

In modern Christendom The flow of Christians who want to be filled with piety is growing.

The pilgrimage gave impetus to development tourism business, which facilitates movement between cities and countries, saving the energy and time of pilgrims. If earlier pilgrims sacrificed time and convenience, then modern Christians pay money, sometimes earned through hard work.

Christians who have visited holy places become familiar with the shrines themselves, and then tell other believers about them, arousing in them the desire to make a pilgrimage.

Modern pilgrimage

Haven't disappeared from modern world and wanderers, there are much fewer of them, but they exist. Sometimes a husband and wife, to whom God has not given children, take a vow and for a certain time move from shrine to shrine, asking God for forgiveness for their personal and ancestral sins, in order to lift the curse of childlessness.

Every Orthodox believer can join in the pilgrim’s feat by donating a certain amount to him for the pilgrimage.

A reminder to the modern pilgrim

When going on a pilgrimage, you should first understand its spiritual importance. A trip to the shrine is not an excursion, but a worship of the saints and God in the person of the Holy Trinity and the Mother of God.

When choosing a trip to holy places, a Christian must clearly define the purpose of his trip.

• If this is just a trip to get acquainted with the history of a temple, icon or holy place, then he only needs to collect a certain amount and set off. This is not bad at all and is not something wrong.

• Orthodox pilgrim setting out on a journey to understand the depths Christian teaching, filled with the power of the Holy Spirit, must definitely receive a blessing spiritual mentor or a priest in a temple.
• When heading to the relics or graves of saints, you need to familiarize yourself with life God's saints, find out what their Christian feat what grace this place is filled with.

Many saints ended their lives disabled in human terms. So, Saint Luke went blind, blessed Matronushka spent her life in bed, and St. Panteleimon was decapitated for his Christian faith, but they all remained faithful to Jesus, in His name they healed and filled the souls of people with spiritual joy.

By losing their bodies, the saints gained the Lord's things. Nowadays there are many false saints who accept money, promising healing and wealth. Perhaps the applicant will get what he wants, but what is the price for him, and what power is given.

Pilgrimage is not tourism; sometimes it is enough to perform the feat of repentance in your church to be filled with the Holy Spirit and find the answer to the problem.

Rushing abroad, some Christians do not bother to inquire about the holy places located in hometown or village.

When in Moscow there were hours-long queues for the belt of the Mother of God, few people knew that the Church of the Prophet Elijah was protecting a piece of the same shrine.

When planning to attend a service in a monastery, be sure to first read its rules so as not to find yourself in an awkward position when you are not allowed to receive Communion due to absence from all-night prayer, for example. When going on a pilgrimage, do not forget that spiritual life does not consist only of health, family relationships and material wealth.

For pilgrims, the main goal is to strengthen faith and receive the gift of love for one's neighbor, through love for Jesus and acceptance of His sacrifice. Mother Russia is rich in shrines to which pilgrims from all over the world travel, so let’s first go through our native places.

About the tradition of Orthodox pilgrimage. Archpriest Vladimir Golovin

An integral attribute of the life of a believer is travel to holy places, or pilgrimage - this is a visit to holy places located outside of a person’s residence. People go on such trips for the purpose of venerating shrines and relics.

Types of pilgrimage

Every religion has its own holy places that every believer should visit. IN Christian faith The dream of every believer is to visit Jerusalem. It was on this land that Jesus was born and preached here. Here are places associated with the Messiah, his apostles, the Holy Virgin Mary, as well as the Holy River Jordan and other holy springs.

In Islam, pilgrimage involves visiting Mecca and Medina. These places are important for every Muslim.

In Vaishnavism, pilgrims strive to visit Vrindavan and Govardhan. These places are considered the holiest in all the land. It is believed that these places were visited by Krishna, who came about five thousand years ago. Vaishnavism involves pilgrimages to the places of pastimes of God and his beloved Srimati Radharani. Believers take bath in the waters of the Ganga, Yamuna and Saraswati.

Pilgrimage is present in Shaivism. All believers who worship Shiva dream of visiting Mount Kailash, located in the Himalayas. Believers believe that Shiva is still in meditation in one of the caves of the mountain.

In Buddhism, there are four main holy places that should be visited. These are Lumbini, Bodh Gaya, Sarnath and Kushinagar.

All holy places, regardless of faith, have extraordinary powers that cannot be explained by scientists. For example, the dust of Vrindavan has floral aroma, and the water of the Ganga has a cleansing effect, although millions of people live on the banks of the river, and the ashes of the dead are thrown into the waters. And there are no treatment facilities here.

A little history of Christian pilgrimage

With the beginning christian church believers sought to get to places associated with the earthly life of Jesus, his mother. Later, people began to visit the places of the holy martyrs.

It is impossible to say exactly when the pilgrimage began. However, according to some sources, it began after 325, when Emperor Constantine ordered the construction of temples in Bethlehem and declared all of Palestine to be Holy Land.

The word "pilgrimage" itself is a journey to a holy place, and a "pilgrim" is a person holding a palm branch. Typically, the pilgrimage season begins with Christmas and ends with Pentecost. In ancient times, Christians came to Palestine during this entire period.

One of the important holidays during which the number of people going on religious pilgrimage increased is Easter. Those who sought to meet in Jerusalem Bright Sunday, came early. All participants in the procession carried palm branches. They were taken home as shrines and evidence of the pilgrimage.

Pilgrimage in Rus'

In Rus', pilgrimage gained popularity at the time of Epiphany. The history of pilgrimages tells how people traveled to Jerusalem and other holy places. In those days there were no means of transportation, and believers walked the entire route. Such a journey was dangerous and long.

Gradually, national churches began to be built in Rus'. The first were the Kiev-Pechersk Lavra, Valaam, Solovki, the Trinity-Sergius Lavra and many other shrines. People from all over the country began to visit them.

Jerusalem for Christians

One of the oldest and most important cities of various religions is Jerusalem. This place is holy to Judaism, Islam and Christianity. The pilgrimage to Jerusalem is a special step for believers. Special meaning this city represents for Christians. This place is spoken of in the Old and New Testaments. According to the latter, forty days after his birth, Jesus was brought to the city temple to be dedicated to the service of God.

There is a story about how the Messiah cleansed the temple, expelling all merchants from it outside the holy land. A pilgrimage to Jerusalem involves visiting all the places where Jesus and his apostles passed.

At the end of the Gospels there is a description of the Last Supper held in Jerusalem, the arrest of the Messiah and Gethsemane. It was also on this earth that Jesus was crucified and buried. Holy Scripture speaks of the resurrection and ascension of the Messiah and the day when he will return.

Holy places of Jerusalem

The place of the Last Supper is the Upper Room of Zion. A pilgrimage to Israel from Moscow includes a visit to this holy place. The travelers' itinerary also includes a visit to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. According to legend, Jesus is buried in this place. Thousands of pilgrims from all over the world come here to touch the slab.

Believers also strive to visit Golgotha. They reach the place of the crucifixion on their knees. Another must-visit place is the Western Wall. Various believers strive to visit churches and monasteries dedicated to St. Virgin Mary.

A pilgrimage to Israel from Moscow is an occasion to visit not just holy places, but to plunge into the history of the emergence of faith. During the trip, believers can visit the monastery of St. Magdalene, venerate the relics and icon. Also in Jerusalem is the Church of the Ascension of the Lord, where you can bow before the relics of the arch. Antonina.

In the Holy Land there is the tomb of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the tombs of the prophets Haggai, Malachi, and the tomb of King David.

A great place that every believer wants to visit is the Cathedral of the Resurrection of Christ (Church of the Holy Sepulcher). This shrine is divided between different peoples and faith. Orthodox, Catholics and other believers pray here.

Mecca for Muslims

In Islam, pilgrimage is a hajj to places where you can worship Allah collectively and perform namaz. Mecca is the place where the prophet was born. This place is the spiritual center of all Muslims of all Islam.

According to tradition, the pilgrimage to Mecca lasts ten days. Believers prepare for this event in advance. There are many rules for Hajj that a believer must take into account. Thus, a young man can go on a religious journey independently at the age of 18, and girls and women under the age of 45 have the right to visit a holy place only when accompanied by a man: husband or relative. Moreover, they must document their relationship to the Spiritual Administration of Muslims at their place of residence.

In the Kingdom Saudi Arabia, where pilgrimages to Mecca and Medina are held (these shrines are located on the territory of the country), strict Sharia rules apply. At the airport there are strict rules screening of every arriving guest.

The pilgrimage to Mecca is carried out under the supervision of experienced guides. Even if believers do not arrive as a group, but on their own, they are placed under the care of accompanying persons. All institutions in the country are open from eight in the morning to twelve in the afternoon and from five to seven in the evening. Closed days are Thursday and Friday. The kingdom has its own calendar, according to which the current year is 1438 Hijri (2017 AD).

Rite in Mecca

Arriving in Mecca, after putting on special ritual clothes, each believer must walk around the House of Allah seven times. This is the main shrine of believers. Then a seven-fold run is carried out between the hills of Marwa and Safa. After this, you are allowed to quench your thirst from the ZamZam spring. Next, the pilgrims head to Arafat. This valley is located near Mecca. In the valley, believers must stand from noon until sunset. At this time, special prayers are read. After sunset, believers head to Muzdalifah. Collective prayer takes place in this valley.

The next day, believers head to the Mina Valley. Here the ritual of throwing stones at a pillar symbolizing Satan is performed. After this, a ritual of sacrifice is carried out, signaling the onset of Eid al-Adha, the holiday of Eid al-Fitr. After the sacrifice, the pilgrims return to Mecca for a farewell procession around the House of Allah.

Optina Pustyn

Stauropegial monastery has been receiving pilgrims from all over the country since ancient times. According to legend, this place was founded in the fourteenth century by a man named Opta. There was a time when Optina Pustyn flourished, and there were times of decline. In the twentieth century, the monastery was closed and the churches were destroyed. Times changed the monastery, but the elder service did not change. To this day, this place remains the center of spiritual life. Many believers are eager to visit Optina Pustyn.

A pilgrimage to Optina Pustyn involves visiting the temples and shrines located here. This is the Vvedensky Cathedral, which houses the relics of Nektary and Ambrose, the icon of the Kazan Mother of God. Optina Pustyn is also famous for the temple in honor of the Kazan Icon of the Mother of God, the Vladimir Icon of the Mother of God, the temple of Hilarion the Great, the Forerunner of the Baptist of the Lord, and the temple in honor of the Transfiguration of the Lord.

During the day, the main temples are always open. Pilgrimage to holy places involves worshiping shrines located in the Optina Hermitage. Here believers venerate icons, holy relics of the elders and fathers of Optina.

Pilgrimage in the 19th century

Most people began to visit places of pilgrimage in the nineteenth century. At that time it was a tradition to visit Kiev Pechersk Lavra. Tens of thousands of pilgrims of all social classes go to holy places. Someone rides a horse, and someone walks. All this led to Archimandrite Antonin acquiring large tracts of land in Palestine, on which they built churches, monasteries and hotels for pilgrims.

With the advent of the revolution, the tradition of pilgrimage lost its former strength. Temples were destroyed, plots of land abroad were lost. For many years, Russian people could not freely pray and visit shrines.

Nowadays, the tradition of visiting holy places is returning. Many people visit not only world-famous holy places, but also little-known monasteries.

Pilgrimage in the Orthodox religion

A pilgrimage is a way to touch not just shrines, but to the origins of your past, and to find the right path in the future.

Orthodox believers travel to the Holy Land, Mount Athos. In the nineteenth century, religious travel became quite popular. People were not afraid to go on a long journey, because then along the way every pilgrim could stop at any house. In those days, it was considered righteous to allow a pilgrim to spend the night.

After World War II, the number of Russian pilgrims to Jerusalem decreased, but did not stop completely.

Modern Orthodox pilgrimage to Jerusalem includes visits to places where evangelical events took place. The bulk of people come to the Holy Land during Holy Week to see the descent on Holy Saturday. holy fire, and wash with it.

Athos, or Holy Mountain

The rocky peninsula in the shape of a trident is Athos. According to legend, when St. Mary wanted to share their labors with the apostles, going with them to preach; she had a revelation that she would have a different path. And so it happened: during her journey, her ship landed on the shores of Athos. Mother of God went ashore and blessed the land. After this, they began to call it the Holy Mountain.

Pilgrimage to the Holy Mountain

The peninsula is the site of the exploits of monks. Women are prohibited from setting foot on these lands. Several years ago there was a case when one American journalist decided to dress in men's clothing and penetrate Athos. When this was discovered, a serious international scandal arose. Women are allowed to swim along the island, listen to stories, and look at the peninsula from the waters through binoculars. But men can freely visit Athos. Despite the ban on women visiting the place, the Holy Mountain is one of the popular shrines for worship.

Every faith has its day off. Muslims have a day off on Friday, and Jews have Saturday. On these days, Jews and Muslims do not work. Christians also have a day off; Scripture says “honor the Sabbath.” In some English speaking countries she is revered, so it is customary for them to start the week on Sunday. In Russia this day is a day off, and in some other countries of the world it is the beginning working week, but Friday and Saturday are days off.

On Mount Athos, time is still calculated by the sun. The day there begins at sixteen o'clock in the afternoon.

On the vast territory of Russia there are such special places where pilgrims from different parts of the world dream of visiting. These are ancient cities with temples and churches, remote from large settlements monasteries with special abbots, holy healing springs, myrrh-streaming icons, as well as incorruptible relics of saints.

Features of pilgrimage excursions

The holy places of Russia radiate invisible good and positive energy. By making a pilgrimage, travelers not only worship shrines and become familiar with Orthodox traditions, but also cleanse themselves spiritually, restore vitality and are charged with positive emotions.

Today, in order to see holy places and make pilgrimages, it is not at all necessary to make difficult and long journeys, as before. Modern travel companies organize themed trips to the most interesting and attractive places. Such excursions to holy places take place on ships and comfortable buses.

Believers from any corner of our country can easily go to a holy place, pray, touch miraculous icons or confess in the place closest to your heart.

Tourist excursions to holy places are conducted not only for deeply religious people, but also for ordinary citizens interested in travel. In addition, excursions to holy places are very popular among schoolchildren. Such programs teach children from early childhood to understand the world and choose their righteous path in life.

Pilgrimage programs can take place at any time of the year, but most often they are timed to coincide with some Orthodox event, holiday or important event. All trips are divided into multi-day, one-day and so-called “weekend tours”. It is most convenient to travel to holy places in summer period. In the warm season, you can plan long and intense programs.

The most popular holy places in Russia

1. Valaam Monastery

The Spaso-Preobrazhensky Valaam Monastery is known far beyond Russia and is highly revered among Russian travelers. It is located in a picturesque location in the northern part of Lake Ladoga. You can get to the island of Valaam only by boat or motor ship. On the territory of the monastery there is main temple, there are monasteries, and the relics of its founders have also been preserved. Exact date The foundation of the monastery is not known, but even at the beginning of the 16th century there was a monastery.

2. Solovetsky Monastery

In the White Sea on the Solovetsky Islands, back in 1436, three monks founded a monastery, which today is considered an important spiritual and social center. The Solovetsky monastery, in which righteous and holy people lived, preserved the relics of the founders on its territory.

To visit the monastery you need permission and blessing from the abbot.

3. Trinity-Sergius Lavra in Sergiev Posad

One of the most famous and revered Russian shrines is the Holy Trinity-Sergius Lavra, founded back in 1337 Venerable Sergius Radonezh. On the unique territory of the Lavra, the ancient Trinity Cathedral, which was built back in 1422-1425, has been preserved. It is famous for the fact that the holy relics of Sergius of Radonezh are located there. In addition, the iconostasis painted by Andrei Rubev is of particular value.

In the vicinity of the monastery there is the Assumption Cathedral. Bogolyubsky and Bethany monasteries, as well as monasteries and other buildings of interest to pilgrims.

4. Tolgsky convent in the city of Yaroslavl

One of the significant shrines of the Golden Ring is the Tolginsky Convent. Thanks to convenient location and transport accessibility, the annual flow of pilgrims and tourists here is growing from year to year. Every traveler can visit Yaroslavl and take a city tour, but the rules for visiting convent quite strict.

5. Optina Pustyn in Kaluga region

Optina is considered one of the important spiritual centers of our country. On its territory is the St. Vvedensky Monastery of the Optina Monastery. Optina Pustyn became most famous in Russia thanks to the famous classic writers Dostoevsky and Tolstoy.

6. Kirillo-Belozersky Monastery in the Vologda region

The ancient and beautiful Kirillov Monastery is part of the complex of the museum-reserve of the same name, founded in 1924. The architectural ensemble includes a monastery, churches, majestic walls and towers. It is located on the very shore of Lake Siverskoye, which gives the museum a special charm.

The Assumption Cathedral has preserved ancient icons, the exhibition of which is organized in the bishop's chambers. And an important shrine of the Church of Cyril is the relics of Cyril of Belozersky preserved there. In the 15th-17th centuries, the monastery was one of the largest and richest in Russia. To this day it remains an important center of spiritual life.

7. Pskov-Pechersky Monastery in the Pskov region

This monastery is considered one of the largest and most famous monasteries, keeping traces of centuries-old history on its territory. On the territory there are amazing caves, as well as a cave church in the hill, which was consecrated in 1473 - the Church of the Assumption of the Mother of God.

The monastery ensemble includes churches, caves, a belfry, walls and towers. The monastery has two holy springs, which are considered healing and help in the healing of believers. This is the source of the Venerable Martyr Cornias and the Life-Giving Spring.

Churches and caves are open for tourists and pilgrims to visit, church holidays Services of amazing scale and beauty are held on the territory of the complex.

Excursions to holy places

Most often, excursion programs to holy places take place in the central part of Russia and the north-west. Travelers travel along the Golden Ring, visiting cities associated with the history of Orthodoxy in Rus'. Sergiev Posad, Moscow and Moscow region, Yaroslavl, Suzdal, Velikiy Novgorod, Vladimir, Vologda land, Pereslavl-Zalessky, Pskov - this is just a list of cities popular among pilgrims.

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The modern word “pilgrim” goes back to the Old Russian “palmovnik”, which, in turn, is derived from the Latin palmarius (“a person holding a palm branch”). This is what the pilgrims - participants in the religious procession in the Holy Land - were originally called. Those who sought to meet the Light in Jerusalem Christ's Resurrection, came in advance to spend the entire Holy Week in the Holy City. And since Holy Week precedes the feast of the Entry of the Lord into Jerusalem (otherwise this holiday is also called Vai Week, or in Russian Orthodox tradition - Palm Sunday), and the main event of this day was procession to the walls of Jerusalem, the pilgrims who took part in this procession carried palm branches. Almost two thousand years ago, the inhabitants of Jerusalem greeted Christ with the same branches. As a rule, in addition to various relics, pilgrims took these palm branches home with them as souvenirs.

Subsequently, pilgrims began to be called pilgrims traveling not only to Jerusalem, but also to other Christian shrines.

Pilgrimage and tourism

Nowadays, you can often hear such phrases as “pilgrimage tourism”, “pilgrimage tour”, “pilgrimage excursion” and so on. All of them stem from a misunderstanding of the essence of pilgrimage, from its rapprochement with tourism due to purely external similarities. Both pilgrimage and tourism are related to the theme of travel. However, despite the similarities, they have different natures. Even when visiting the same holy places, pilgrims and tourists do so in different ways.

Tourism is a journey for educational purposes. And one of the popular types of tourism is religious tourism. The main thing in this type of tourism is getting to know the history of holy places, the lives of saints, architecture, church art. All this is discussed on excursions, which are the most important element of a trip for a tourist.

An excursion can also be part of a pilgrimage - but not the main one and not at all obligatory, but only auxiliary. The main thing in pilgrimage is prayer, worship and religious worship of shrines. Orthodox pilgrimage is part of the religious life of a believer. In the process of making a pilgrimage, the main thing during prayer is not the external performance of rituals, but the mood that reigns in the heart, the spiritual renewal that happens to an Orthodox Christian.

Where and why are they going?

If we talk about Egypt, Jordan and Israel, then trips to these territories are inextricably linked with history Israeli people and with the road that Moses walked. The same can be said about traveling along the route Israel - Jordan - Syria - Lebanon. From the point of view of Christianity, all these states are located on the same territory of the Holy Land. Why? Because the Lord walked and was baptized in Jordan, and there are also places inextricably linked with the life and death of John the Baptist. Syria and Jordan are associated with the apostles Paul and Peter, who went to preach from Jerusalem.

If we talk about spiritual content pilgrimage trips, for example, to Greece or Italy, then they usually follow the paths of the apostles across the European part of the continent. It is this component that is the main one in tours that include these countries.

The combination of two countries such as Greece and Turkey in one pilgrimage tour also has a very clear ideological justification. As a rule, such trips take place along the route Cappadocia - Istanbul - Thessaloniki - Athens: this is the path of the Apostle Paul and his sermons. And, for example, the trip Bulgaria - Greece - Türkiye is based on the Byzantine traditions of Orthodoxy. A visit to these three countries is a tribute to the memory and merits of the Slavic saints and educators Cyril and Methodius.

Combined tours around Russia are also very popular, the most popular among them are trips to the North-Western region (Konevets, Valaam, Kizhi, Solovki). The routes of such travel are determined by both geographical factors and religion and history. For example, Tobolsk, Tyumen, Yekaterinburg and Alapaevsk are very different cities, united common theme royal martyrs.

Popular destinations for pilgrimage tours

All articles about pilgrimage tours on "Subtleties"

• Europe: Greece (Athos), Italy
• Russia: Diveevo,