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Zadonsk, Lipetsk region
By train from Moscow (from Paveletsky or Kursky stations), first to Lipetsk, from where buses and fixed-route taxis run to Zadonsk. Another, no less convenient option is the intercity bus "Moscow - Voronezh", departing from the Paveletsky railway station. The ticket price to Zadonsk is 832 rubles. Motorists can get from Moscow along the M-4 Don federal road (about 400 kilometers).
Pechory, Pskov region
In one of the largest monasteries in Russia, the Holy Dormition Pskov-Caves, the relics of the Monks Mark, Jonah, Lazarus, Vassa, Simeon (Zhelnin) are buried, and the icons of the Assumption of the Mother of God and the Mother of God “Tenderness” are also kept. The monastery was founded in 1473.
The city of Pechory is located 43 km from Pskov. Therefore, first we get from Moscow by train to the railway station of Pskov. Ticket price from 1,344 rubles. A regular bus departs from the bus station almost every hour. The fare is 106 rubles.
Solovki, Arkhangelsk region
The fastest way to get to Solovki is through Arkhangelsk. A flight from Moscow will cost 5,932 rubles. Next, you need to make a transfer to the Solovetsky flight, the ticket price is about 13,000 rubles. The second option is to go through Karelia. This path is possible only in summer. First, you should take a train from Moscow to Belomorsk for 3547 rubles. Take a boat there. The fare is 1,500 rubles.
Ipatiev Cape, Kostroma Region
In the Holy Trinity Cathedral of the Ipatiev Monastery, located on the banks of the Kostroma River not far from its confluence with the Volga, the Tikhvin Icon of the Mother of God is kept. The monastery was founded in 1330.
You can get to Kostroma from Moscow in 6 hours by train or 7 hours by bus. The price of a trip by rail will be from 615 rubles, and a bus ticket from 913 rubles.
Bogolyubovo, Vladimir region
The Bogolyubsky Icon of the Mother of God is kept in the Holy Bogolyubsky Convent. The monastery occupies the territory of the palace-castle of Andrei Bogolyubsky. These mansions are the only civil building from the times of Ancient Russia, which has survived to our time, at least partially. Near Bogolyubovo is the Church of the Intercession on the Nerl.
You can get to Bogolyubovo from Vladimir by city bus No. 18 or No. 152 for only 22 rubles. Electric trains, trains and buses run from Moscow to Vladimir. By train, the journey will take a little over three hours. The train costs from 539 rubles. The bus departs from the Shchelkovsky bus station, the fare is from 388 rubles.
Optina Pustyn, Kaluga region
In the Vvedensky Monastery of Optina Pustyn, founded at the end of the 14th century, the relics of St. Ambrose and Nectarius, the elders of Optina, are buried, and the Kazan Icon of the Mother of God is also kept.
Optina Pustyn is located near the town of Kozelsk. You can get there from Moscow in 5 hours by bus, it departs daily from the Tyoply Stan bus station. Ticket price - 676 rubles. From the bus station in Kozelsk to the monastery - about three kilometers. This distance can be covered on foot or by bus.
Valaam, Republic of Karelia
In the Valaam Spaso-Preobrazhensky Monastery, located on the most beautiful islands of the Valaam archipelago in Lake Ladoga, the relics of St. Sergius and Herman of Valaam are buried. The monastery itself was founded in 1407 and is now under the supervision and canonical administration of the Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia.
You can get to Valaam from Moscow before the start of navigation on Ladoga from St. Petersburg by helicopter, but this pleasure is not cheap. During the summer period, most pilgrims get to the island on motor ships or meteors from the coastal ports of the northern Ladoga region or on motor ships departing from the northern capital. The cost of such a trip is about 3,000 rubles. The cost of tours on motor ships from St. Petersburg starts from 7,000 rubles.
Godenovo village, Yaroslavl region
In the church in the name of St. John Chrysostom, located in Godenovo, near the city of Pereslavl-Zalessky, there is the Life-Giving Cross of the Lord.
From Moscow to the village of Godenovo can be reached by bus or by car along the Yaroslavl highway. The bus from Moscow to Petrovsk departs from the Schelkovskaya metro station, then in Petrovsk you need to change to a bus that goes to the village of Priozerny and get off at the Godenovo stop. Tickets to Petrovsk cost 1352 rubles.
Diveevo, Nizhny Novgorod Region
In the Holy Trinity Seraphim-Diveevo Monastery, founded in 1780, the relics of St. Seraphim of Sarov are buried.
The village of Diveevo is located 180 km from Nizhny Novgorod. You can get from Moscow by plane or by the high-speed train "Lastochka". Ticket price from 4 800 rubles. From the bus station, which is located on Lyadov Square, buses run to Diveevo once a day. The ticket price is about 400 rubles.
Sergiev Posad, Moscow region
In the Trinity Cathedral of the Holy Trinity Sergius Lavra, located in the city of Sergiev Posad, Moscow Region, the relics of the founder, St. Sergius of Radonezh, are buried.
Buses of route No. 388 "Sergiev Posad - Moscow" run every 10-15 minutes from the VDNKh metro station. The fare is 200 rubles. You can also get there by electric train from the Yaroslavl railway station. Trains depart every 20-30 minutes. The fare is 132 rubles.
Text: Pavel Ustinov
Holy places of Russia... Probably, there are not so many people who would never have heard of such corners. Pilgrimages here are made by both Russians and guests from near and far abroad.
But have you ever wondered what lies behind the popular tourist destination called "Holy Places of Russia"? Why are travelers drawn there with such force and enviable constancy? Is there some secret or mystery in this?
This article will tell not only about the holy places in Russia themselves, the reader will get acquainted with the nuances and details of this kind of travel, and also find out where to look first of all when visiting a huge country.
General information and relevance of the issue
Before embarking on a journey to the holy places of Russia, it is still worth familiarizing yourself with some information.
There are such places on Russian land that pilgrims from all over the world are drawn to. Usually, various holy springs, temples, monasteries, imperishable relics of saints and burials of the righteous are considered to be such. By visiting such places, a person is spiritually cleansed, charged with positive energy, discovers something new for himself and rethinks the essence of life on earth.
It turns out that those who come to the holy places of Russia are those who mentally stand on the threshold of spiritual changes. Naturally, they prepare for such a trip in advance.
Pilgrimage to the holy places of Russia
Features of this kind of tours are in specific directions. The specificity of pilgrims is determined by the peculiarity of the religious consciousness of believers.
The main motives for making a pilgrimage are the following: the desire to pray, find grace, touch the incorruptible relics or a miraculous icon, perform the sacrament of confession with a special religious figure in a certain holy place, make a donation, make a vow, etc.
How do people understand that they will be interested in a trip to the holy places of Russia? The decision on the pilgrimage can be made independently or with the blessing of the spiritual father.
As a rule, the intensity and nature of such trips depend on the political and economic situation of a particular country, the level of social and material well-being of citizens. The travel patterns of religious pilgrims are influenced by the climate and geographic location of the destinations.
Duration of the pilgrimage tour
Geographically, holy places in Russia are very often located at some distance from settlements.
All by duration are divided into multi-day, one-day or weekend tours.
Tours to the holy places of Russia rarely last longer than 12 days. Most of the time it takes a pilgrimage to the most distant regions of Russia (Ekaterinburg, Tobolsk and Altai).
Any route of such a plan must be complete and logical. For example, when a pilgrim wants to see holy places near Tobolsk or Yekaterinburg, it is best for him to go on a comprehensive tour that covers all the main shrines in the Urals. Thus, in one trip he will be able to visit all the shrines of the Central and Northern Urals, as well as cover the path of the Royal Martyrs of the Urals and Siberia.
Where do parishioners go most often?
If we consider tours to the holy places of Russia on regional grounds, we can determine the directions of the most visited places in the country.
Most often, pilgrims go to the center and northwest. Many travel along the Golden Ring, visit Kursk, Diveevo (Nizhny Novgorod region), Zadonsk (Lipetsk region).
The Vologda and Arkhangelsk (Solovki) lands, Karelia (Kizhi and Valaam), Veliky Novgorod, Pskov are interesting. The latter is famous for the Pechora and the Pushkin mountains, many pilgrims visit the Talap Islands.
The main important places for parishioners are the monasteries and deserts of the Russian Orthodox Church. There are 26 deserts and 313 monasteries on the territory of the state. Excursions to the holy places of Russia are held regularly.
Many cities of the Golden Ring are very closely connected with the history of the spread of Orthodoxy in Russia. It is there that a large number of shrines are located, so almost all temples and monasteries are objects of pilgrimage. The most visited cities are Alexandrov, Pereslavl-Zalessky, Yaroslavl, Rostov the Great, Uglich, Kostroma, Sergiev Posad, Tutaev, Vladimir and Suzdal.
Also, many monasteries have recently been opened and restored in Rostov-on-Don, Krasnodar and Arkhyz. Pilgrimages to Altai are interesting in connection with the study of local traditions.
How to choose the time for the trip?
It can be difficult to single out and get ahead of the most favorable period for pilgrimage. As a rule, in summer it is more convenient and comfortable to make long trips (from 3 to 7-12 days) over long distances.
In spring and autumn, shorter programs (2-3 days) are usually chosen. Only big holidays are an exception, because. these days, it doesn't really matter whether a day off falls on the regular calendar on that date or not.
Holy places of Russia: Valaam
One of the most popular tourist destinations is the world-famous island of Valaam. It is part of a fairly large archipelago, which is located in the north of Lake Ladoga. In total, several hundred people live on the island. The main population of the archipelago are fishermen, foresters and monks. On the territory of the island is located Valaam where pilgrims come from all over the world.
The time and history of the spread of Christianity on the island of Valaam are unknown, but there is evidence that the monastery already existed at the beginning of the 16th century.
In those days, such saints as Arseniy Konevsky, Rev. Abraham of Rostov, Savvaty of Solovetsky, Adrian Ondrusovsky and Alexander Svirsky lived there. To this day, all monasteries operate here, and there are also several branches of the monastery (about ten).
There is also a weather station and a military unit on the territory of the islands. The glory of the high spiritual life of the monastery, the amazing nature of the island, the beauty and severity of monastic services attracts a lot of pilgrims to Valaam.
Solovki is a famous place of pilgrimage
It is a stauropegial monastery of the Russian Orthodox Church. It is located in the White Sea on deserts and hermitages - on the islands of the archipelago.
The monastery was founded by the monks Zosim, Savvaty and Herman back in 1436. Many people know that in the 1920s there was a camp for political prisoners at the monastery.
Under the Soviet Union, it was also called "Solovki", or "Russian Golgotha". The relics of the founders are still kept on the territory of the monastery. Many righteous people lived in this monastery, who after death were canonized as saints.
Today the monastery is a major social and spiritual center. Pilgrimage here has always been considered a feat that few dared to perform. Now the Solovetsky Monastery is visited not only by pilgrims, but also by researchers, historians, and scientists.
gaining popularity
In the Sverdlovsk region there is an abandoned Isetsky mine - Ganina Yama. Pilgrims who come to the Urals always try to visit this holy place. It is also called the Temple on the Blood. It was built on the site where the house once stood, in the basement of which, on the night of July 17, 1918, the Emperor of Russia Nicholas II, his wife Alexandra Fedorovna, children - Alexy, Tatiana, Olga, Anastasia and Maria were shot together with the servants.
Then the bodies were taken to the Isetsky mine and thrown into the mine near the Ganina pit, and the clothes were burned. On the second day, the unfortunate were reburied in distant mines. After 60 years, this burial was found by a group of searchers. Since the 70s, pilgrims began to visit this place to pay tribute to the holy land, in which the royal martyrs were buried.
In 2000, the construction of a monastery and several temples at once began on Ganina Yama. Now 7 churches are open there, in which particles of the relics of Spyridon of Trimifuntsky and the relics of the holy martyrs nun Barbara and Grand Duchess Elizabeth are kept.
Holy spring of Talezh village
Among the special places in Russia marked by grace is the holy spring of St. David in the village of Talezh, Chekhov District, Moscow Region. It is located near the Ascension Davidov Hermitage. This is a male monastery, which is located in the village of Novyi Byt.
Pilgrims to Talezh have long been attracted by spring water, which has healing properties. This is a holy source that gives a person cheerfulness, health and joy of life. They say, touching this clean water, the parishioner feels how his soul becomes lighter.
Next to the source, pilgrims have the opportunity to bathe in a well-equipped bathhouse specially built for this purpose. It is believed that sacred water has the power to purify and sanctify the soul and body.
An integral attribute of the life of a believer is trips to holy places, or pilgrimages, - this is a visit to holy places that are outside the boundaries of a person's residence. People go on such trips for the purpose of worshiping shrines and relics.
Types of pilgrimage
Every religion has its holy places that every believer should visit. In the Christian faith, the dream of every believer is to visit Jerusalem. It was on this earth 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 Jordan River and other holy springs.
In Islam, pilgrimage involves visiting Mecca and Medina. These places are important for every Muslim.
In Vaishnavism, pilgrims tend to visit Vrindavan and Govardhan. These places are considered the most sacred in all the earth. It is believed that these places were visited by Krishna, who came about five thousand years ago. Vaishnavism involves a pilgrimage to the places of play of God and his beloved Srimati Radharani. Believers take a bath in the waters of the Ganges, 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 in meditation to this day in one of the caves of the mountain.
In Buddhism, there are four main holy places to visit. These are Lumbini, Bodh Gaya, Sarnath and Kushinagar.
All holy places, regardless of faith, have an extraordinary power that cannot be explained by scientists. For example, the dust of Vrindavan has a flowery fragrance, and the water of the Ganges has a purifying 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 purification facilities here.
A little history of Christian pilgrimage
With the beginning of the 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 reports, it began after 325, when Emperor Constantine ordered the construction of temples in Bethlehem, and declared all of Palestine to be the Holy Land.
The very word "pilgrimage" is a journey to a holy place, and "pilgrim" is a person holding a palm branch. Usually the pilgrimage season begins with Christmas and ends with Pentecost. In ancient times, Christians came to Palestine for this entire period.
One of the important holidays during which the number of people who went on a religious pilgrimage grew is Easter. Those who aspired to meet Bright Sunday in Jerusalem came in advance. All participants in the procession carried palm branches. They were taken home as a shrine and evidence of a pilgrimage.
Pilgrimage in Russia
In Russia, pilgrimage gained popularity at the time of Baptism. The story of the pilgrimage tells how people traveled to Jerusalem and other holy places. In those days there were no means of transportation, and the believers walked all the way. Such a journey was dangerous, long.
Gradually, national churches began to be built in Russia. The first were the Kiev-Pechersk Lavra, Valaam, Solovki, the Trinity-Sergius Lavra and many other shrines. They began to be visited by people from all over the country.
Jerusalem for Christians
One of the most ancient and important cities of various religions is Jerusalem. This place is sacred to Judaism, Islam and Christianity. The pilgrimage to Jerusalem is a special step for believers. This city is of particular importance 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 for dedication to serving God.
There is a story about how the Messiah carried out the cleansing of the temple, driving out all the merchants from it outside the holy land. The pilgrimage to Jerusalem includes 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. Also on this earth Jesus was crucified and buried. The Holy Scripture speaks of the resurrection and ascension of the Messiah, as well as the day when he will return.
Holy places of Jerusalem
The place of the Last Supper is the Upper Room of Zion. Pilgrimage to Israel from Moscow includes a visit to this holy place. The itinerary also includes a visit to the Church of the Holy Sepulcher. According to legend, Jesus was buried in this place. Thousands of pilgrims from all over the world come here to touch the plate.
Believers also tend to visit Golgotha. They kneel to the place of the crucifixion. Another place to visit is the Wailing Wall. Various believers seek to visit churches and monasteries dedicated to St. Virgin Mary.
Pilgrimage to Israel from Moscow is an occasion to visit not just holy places, but to plunge into the history of the origin of faith. During the trip, believers can visit the monastery of St. Magdalene, bow to the relics, the icon. Also in Jerusalem is the temple of the Ascension of the Lord, where you can bow before the relics of arch. Antonina.
In the Holy Land there is the tomb of the Most Holy Theotokos, the tombs of the prophets Haggai, Malachi, as well as the tomb of King David.
The 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 faiths. Orthodox, Catholics and other believers pray here.
mecca for muslims
In Islam, pilgrimage is a hajj to places where you can bow to Allah collectively, perform namaz. Mecca is the place where the prophet was born. It is this place that 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. For the Hajj, there are many rules that the believer must take into account. So, a young man can independently go on a religious journey at the age of 18, and girls and women under the age of 45 have the right to visit a holy place only if accompanied by a man: husband or relative. Moreover, they must document their kinship before the Spiritual Administration of Muslims at the place of residence.
In the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, where pilgrimages to Mecca and Medina are held (these shrines are located in the country), strict Sharia rules apply. The airport has a strict screening policy for every arriving guest.
The pilgrimage to Mecca is carried out under the supervision of experienced guides. Even if the believers do not arrive in a group, but on their own, they are placed under the care of the escorts. All institutions in the country are open from eight in the morning until noon and from five to seven in the evening. Days off are Thursday and Friday. The kingdom has its own calendar, according to which it is now 1438 AH (2017 from the birth of Christ).
Rite in Mecca
Arriving in Mecca, after putting on special ritual clothing, each believer must walk around the House of Allah seven times. This is the main shrine of believers. Then a seven-time run is carried out between the hills of Marwa and Safa. After that, it is allowed to quench your thirst from the source of Zam-Zam. Then 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. In this valley there is a collective prayer.
The next day, the believers head to the Mina Valley. Here, a ritual of throwing stones at a pillar, symbolizing Satan, is performed. After this, a ritual of sacrifice is performed, which speaks of the onset of Eid al-Adha, the holiday of Eid al-Adha. After the sacrifice, the pilgrims return to Mecca for a farewell march around the House of Allah.
Optina Pustyn
The 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, there were times of decline. In the twentieth century, the monastery was closed, the temples were destroyed. Times have changed the monastery, but the elder service has not changed. To this day, this place remains the center of spiritual life. Many believers seek to visit Optina Pustyn.
Pilgrimage to Optina Pustyn involves visiting temples and shrines located here. This is the Vvedensky Cathedral, which contains the relics of Nectarius and Ambrose, the icon of the Kazan Mother of God. Also, Optina Pustyn is 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, the temple in honor of the Transfiguration of the Lord.
During the day, the main temples are always open. Pilgrimage to holy places involves the worship of shrines located in the Optina Hermitage. Here, believers worship icons, the 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 there was a tradition to visit the Kiev-Pechersk Lavra at least once in a lifetime. Tens of thousands of pilgrims of all social strata go to holy places. Someone rides a horse, and someone goes on foot. All this led to the fact that Archimandrite Antoninus acquires large plots of land in Palestine, on which temples, monasteries and hotels for pilgrims are built.
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.
In our time, 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
Pilgrimage is a way to touch not just shrines, but the origins of your past, 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 each pilgrim could stop at any house. In those days, it was considered righteous to allow a pilgrim to spend the night.
After the Second World War, the number of Russian pilgrims to Jerusalem decreased, but did not completely stop.
The modern Orthodox pilgrimage to Jerusalem includes visits to places where gospel events took place. The bulk of people come to the Holy Land during Holy Week to see how the Holy Fire descends on Holy Saturday and to wash themselves with it.
Athos, or Holy Mountain
The rocky peninsula in the form 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 another way. And so it happened: during her journey, her ship moored to the shores of Athos. The Mother of God went ashore and blessed the land. After that, it began to be called the Holy Mountain.
Pilgrimage to the Holy Mountain
The peninsula is a place of feats of monks. Women are not allowed to enter these lands. A few years ago, there was a case when an American journalist decided to dress in men's clothes and enter Athos. When this was discovered, a serious international scandal arose. Women are allowed to swim along the island, listen to stories, look from the waters through binoculars at the peninsula. 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 - Friday, and for Jews - Saturday. These days Jews and Muslims do not work. Christians also have a day off, the Scripture says "honor the Sabbath." In some English-speaking countries, she is honored, 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 this is the beginning of the working week, but Friday and Saturday are days off.
On Athos, time is still calculated by the sun. Day there begins at sixteen o'clock in the afternoon.
Having had enough of the main world sights, having traveled to world-famous festivals, visiting the best museums and exhibitions, and having visited remote, exotic islands, travelers turned their eyes to pilgrimage tourism. This type of tourism is associated with visiting religious shrines and plays an important role for believers of various religions. Everyone sets their own goals in the pilgrimage - someone wants to join the most sacred, and someone wants to learn more about the religion of their ancestors or take part in religious ceremonies.
Almost all world religions recognize the spirituality of travel. In Scripture, places are given great importance for the role they play in different belief systems. Some are the birthplaces of the gods, some are considered gifts from the gods, and some are centers of religious leadership. Thrilling even the people of their own religion, these destinations attract pilgrims every year from all corners of the world.
Location: Rupandey, Nepal
Religion: Buddhism
Meaning: Buddha's birthplace
Lumbini is a place of pilgrimage for Buddhists from all over the world. According to the teachings, in a garden in Lumbini, Nepal, in 623 BC. Siddhartha Guatama was born, who is known in history as the Buddha. Siddhartha was a prince who left his palace at the age of 29 in search of enlightenment. Lumbini began to attract pilgrims after 249 BC, when the emperor of India, King Ashoka, first came here. The Ashoka Pillar in Lumbini Garden commemorates the king's pilgrimage and bears an inscription dedicating to the Buddha. Other sacred monuments include the stone slab on which Siddhartha was born, housed in the Maya Devi Temple, and the pool in which Siddhartha was bathed after birth, called Puskarni.
Location: in the city of Rome, Italy
Religion: Catholicism
Meaning: House of the Pope and center of the Roman Catholic Church
The Vatican, or Holy See, became an independent state in 1929, although it has been the home of the Pope, head of the Catholic Church, since 1378. In St. Peter's Basilica is the tomb of the first Pope, St. Peter the Apostle, who was crucified and buried there. Other attractions include: the Sistine Chapel, the Vatican Gardens and the Vatican Museums.
Wittenberg
Location: Saxony, Germany
Religion: Protestant
Meaning: Birthplace of the Protestant Reformation
In 1517, Martin Luther challenged students and churchmen in Wittenberg during a dispute over the sale of indulgences by the Catholic Church in exchange for remission of sins. He wrote ninety-five debatable theses on the power and effectiveness of indulgences and nailed their pages to the door of the Palace Church. This act, according to many, gave rise to the Protestant Reformation. Four years later, Luther was excommunicated from the Catholic Church.
During the Seven Years' War, most of Wittenberg was destroyed, however, the Palace Church was rebuilt in the 1800s, and the text of Luther's ninety-five theses was engraved on the front doors of the church. Inside the church, Luther's tomb is connected to those of two other Protestant thinkers, Philip Melanchthon and Frederick the Wise. Other attractions in Wittenberg include: the restored Luther House; St. Mary's Church (or city church) where Luther preached, where he married and his children were baptized; and the home of Philip Melanchthon, Luther's associate.
Location: Mecca, Saudi Arabia
Religion: Islam
Meaning: Birthplace of Prophet Muhammad
Non-Muslims are not allowed to enter Mecca, the holiest place in Islam. Therefore, this excursion is possible only for believers. Every year, millions of Muslims undertake the journey to Mecca, called the Hajj. The purpose of the pilgrimage is to encourage unity among the followers of Islam. This is so important to Islam that one of the Five Pillars of the religion states that every healthy adult must perform the Hajj at least once in their life, provided they can afford it. Mecca is the birthplace of Muhammad, the prophet who founded Islam, and where he received the first revelation of the Koran. Pilgrims visit the Grand Mosque to praise Allah in front of the Kaaba, the most sacred building in Islam.
Badrinath
Location: Uttarakhand, India
Religion: Hinduism
Meaning: The most important place of Chap-dham, four Hindu pilgrimage centers
Nestled among the Himalayas, Badrinath is the sacred site of the god Vishnu. Some people believe that the Vyas Caves near this holy city are the site of the Sanskrit epic poem Mahabharata. The main attraction of the territory is the Badrinath Temple, built in the 9th century by the Garhwal kings. First of all, it is a place for worshiping Vishnu, although other gods are also represented. After visiting the temple, do a spiritual cleansing in one of the area's natural hot springs - Tapt Kund and Surya Kund.
golden temple
Location: Amritsar, India
Religion: Sikhism
Meaning: The holiest place of worship for Sikhs
The Harimandir Sahib or Golden Temple is the most important gurdwara or temple in Sikhism. It was built in the early 1600s in marble and then clad in gold leaf. Inside the temple, visitors can find the Guru Granth Sahib, the sacred text of Sikhism. Around the temple is a reservoir called Amrit Sarovar (Amrit Sarovar) or pool of nectar. Inside the temple, one of the most impressive places is the dining room, where volunteers feed 3,500 people in need.
Western wall
Location: Jerusalem, Israel
Religion: Judaism
Meaning: The holiest of Jewish places
After the First Temple was destroyed by the Babylonians, the Second Temple (built to replace the first) was destroyed by the Romans in 70 AD. Subsequently, the remaining wall, the Kotel, or Western Wall, became a place of worship and mourning for the old temples. As a result, it is often referred to as the Wailing Wall.
Tomb of the Bab
Location: Haifa, Israel
Religion: Baha'i Faith
Meaning: Mausoleum of the founder of the pre-Bahá'i religion
The Tomb of the Bab, located on Mount Carmel, combines beautiful buildings with beautiful greenery. This is the burial place of the Bab, the founder of a new religion in the 1800s, who broke with Islam and was therefore persecuted by the Persian government. Babism led to the birth of the Baha'i faith. Curving over the Hanging Gardens of Haifa, the tomb houses terraced gardens designed by the Italian architect Fariborzem Sahba.
Palitana
Location: Gujarat, India
Religion: Jainism
Meaning: The most sacred city for the Jains
In the holy city of Palitana, Shatrunjaya hill is an important place of worship in Jainism, a belief system that is associated with non-violent treatment of all living beings: humans, animals and even insects. Shatrunjaya is a hill of steps, stretching 591 m in height. Along the way, there are 863 marble Jain temples, which constitute the most sacred place on earth for Jainism.
Location: Sri Lanka
Religion: Buddhism, Christianity, Islam, Hinduism
Meaning: Religious destination for four major religious groups
Everyone in the world can appreciate the beauty of the sacred mountain Sri Pada. This is probably why four different religions consider the peak to be a holy place worthy of pilgrimage. The rock formation near the summit takes on a different form in each belief system: Buddhists believe it is the footprint of the Buddha; Muslims believe that this is the footprint of the prophet Adam; Hindus believe that this is the footprint of Shiva; and Christians believe that this is the footprint of St. Thomas.
Pilgrimage has long been revered throughout the world. Places of Orthodox pilgrimage in Russia, filled with sources of holiness, annually receive thousands of travelers who want to be enriched with spiritual growth in contact with the shrine.
Who are the pilgrims and when did they appear in Orthodoxy
The word "pilgrim" is derived from "palm". After the death and Resurrection of Jesus, Christians all over the world made trips to Jerusalem to Mount Golgotha and the Holy Sepulcher, carrying palm branches in memory of the solemn entry of the Savior 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 path in fasting and prayer in order to grow spiritually as they approached the shrine.
The ultimate goal of the pilgrimage is one of the shrines revered in Orthodoxy:
- particles of Jesus' clothes;
- the instruments of His death;
- particles of the Life-Giving Cross;
- miraculous icons;
- graves of saints;
- springs with the healing power of water.
The desire to be filled with spiritual power moves the wanderers to make long journeys in order to touch the places sanctified by the presence of Jesus, the Virgin Mary, the saints. The desire to be filled with holiness and cleansed of sins gives strength to perform the feat of pilgrimage.
Someone himself demanded spiritual cleansing, and penance was imposed on someone. Most importantly, a person, going on a walk around the places consecrated with shrines, temporarily renounced earthly riches and comforts, living practically in poverty.
Entrusting himself completely to the will of the Lord, a person rushed to the shrine, so that after praying in a holy place, he would put on a new person. (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 foot crossings.
Overcoming the dusty roads of Anatolia, passing through the heated deserts of Cilicia, traveling through the mountains and plains, the pilgrims took with them only the necessary things.
Wandering and pilgrimage
Sometimes the pilgrimage life, filled with trials and dangers, lasted for months, and even years. The only guide for the wandering pilgrims was the will of God and faith in His mercy.
Important! Prayer 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 the family, did not know whether he would return, giving himself to the will of the Creator.
Christian pilgrims
In the fourth century, by order of Empress Helena, the Life-Giving Cross was found, 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 stay of the Savior is spreading throughout Palestine, which began to be called the Holy Land. By the good will of Constantine the Great, pious excavations were carried out throughout the country, which do not stop to this day.
Archaeological excavations in Jerusalem
The Nicene Council of 325 blessed the discovery of the holy places of Palestine and Jerusalem.
On the site of the Nativity of Christ in Bethlehem, on Mount Golgotha and the site of the Ascension, temples are being built that have become mandatory during pilgrimage trips to Palestine.
Features of the 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 well-known priest of high rank or the arrival of a healing icon, the remnants of holy relics, or, according to tradition, visit a holy place on certain days.
- Middle.
Neighbor pilgrimages are made within the same or nearby dioceses. Sometimes pilgrims leave for several days, living in monasteries, worshiping the shrine, which has become the goal of pilgrimage. The good reputation of the holy place attracts wanderers from near and far villages, who several times a year make near pilgrimages.
- Far.
Now, as in ancient times, long-distance 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 in order to spread news from the Church or temples. True wanderers had vows, a staff and a sack. They had no money and lived to help the church they served.
In the eighteenth century, wanderers appear in Russia, people who have left the world. These pilgrims do not know where their path will end. Having renounced 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, so in the old days pilgrims rushed to the Kiev-Pechersk Lavra. It was a pilgrimage feat to make this trip on foot or on a wagon, having only water and crackers with them.
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 went to prison for their faith. But the destroyed temples, 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 in holy places, are looking for strengthening in faith or waiting for help in solving some difficult life issue.
- Falling away from the Church often prompts pilgrims to go on hiking trips in order to atone for the sin of apostasy, their own or someone close to them.
- The crushing sins of youth are the reason why people go into pilgrimage.
- Incurable diseases or the absence of children become the goal of Orthodox pilgrimages.
- Votive pilgrimages are very important, when in some situation a person makes a vow to God, with a positive outcome, to make a pilgrimage to certain places.
Modern pilgrimage
In today's Christian world, there is a growing stream of Christians who want to be filled with piety.
The pilgrimage gave impetus to the development of the tourism business, which facilitates movement between cities and countries, saving the strength and time of pilgrims. If earlier pilgrims sacrificed time and comfort, then modern Christians pay money earned sometimes by hard work.
Christians who have visited holy places join the shrines themselves, and then tell other believers about them, arousing in them the desire to make a pilgrimage.
Modern pilgrimage
Wanderers have not disappeared from the modern world either, they have become much smaller, but they exist. Sometimes a husband and wife to whom God did not give children take a vow and for a certain time move from shrine to shrine, asking God for forgiveness for the sins of their personal and ancestors, in order to remove the curse of childlessness.
Every Orthodox believer can join the feat of a wanderer by donating a certain amount for pilgrimage.
Memo to the modern pilgrim
Going on a pilgrimage, first of all, you should understand its spiritual importance. A trip to the shrine is not an excursion, but 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 should clearly define the purpose of his trip.
- If this is just a journey to get acquainted with the history of a temple, icon or holy place, then it is enough for him to collect a certain amount and set off. This is quite good and is not something wrong.
- An Orthodox pilgrim, setting off on a journey to learn the depth of Christian teaching, filling the power of the Holy Spirit, must definitely receive the blessing of a spiritual mentor or priest in the temple.
- Heading to the relics or graves of the saints, it is necessary to get acquainted with the life of God's saints, to find out what their Christian deed was, what grace this place is filled with.
Many saints ended their lives with disabilities in the human sense. So, St. Luke went blind, the blessed Matronushka spent her life in bed, and St. Panteleimon was beheaded for the Christian faith, but they all remained faithful to Jesus, in His name they healed and filled the souls of people with spiritual joy.
Losing the bodily, the saints gained the Lord's. Now many false saints have divorced, who accept for money, promising healing and wealth, perhaps the petitioner will receive 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 in order to be filled with the Holy Spirit and find the answer to the problem.
Rushing to foreign countries, some Christians do not bother to inquire about the holy places located in their native city or village.
When in Moscow there were many hours of queues at the girdle of the Mother of God, few people knew that the Church of the Prophet Elijah was protecting a piece of the same shrine.
If you are going to attend a service in a monastery, be sure to familiarize yourself with its rules beforehand so as not to get into an uncomfortable position when you are not allowed to take Communion due to absence from the all-night prayer, for example. Going on a pilgrimage, do not forget that the 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 go, so let's go through our native places first.
On the tradition of Orthodox pilgrimage. Archpriest Vladimir Golovin
