Women wearing dark scarves and long skirts ride on an old bus to the Orthodox monasteries – some of us imagine a pilgrimage tour to be exactly this way. Meanwhile, on a trip to the holy places can be done by any type of man. Today we tell about the ten most interesting orthodox route and try to dispel some myths.
Solovetsky Islands, Russia
Take a trip to this amazing land during this season when it’s still quite warm there. The first Orthodox devotees came to the islands in the middle of XV century. A century later Abbot Philip (who later became Metropolitan of Moscow and the only man with influence on Ivan the Terrible) transformed the northern region: the cathedrals were built, dozens of lakes in the main island of monks joined km of canals, built a dam and the best thing is that a lot of set up of those years has survived until know. A tragic page of history was written of Solovki in the 20’s, when the islands have turned into special camps. Today, in addition to the monastery and church on the Big Solovetsky Island, you can visit the monasteries on the island of Anzer and on the Big Island Zaitskom.
Perhaps it is better to buy a regular tour to the monastery in secular travel agency.
If you are irritated by only one kind of religious people, then going to the pilgrimage tour, of course, is not worth it. But usually those religious organizations having relations with the monasteries, which means that the pilgrimage to the monastery of the group will react favorably to the quality much more.
The Island of Valaam, Russia
In the center of Lake Ladoga is the small Valaam. At the largest of its islands a monastery was founded several centuries ago. Most of the surviving stone buildings were created in the XIX century. In the last century after the revolution, the monastery was closed and was revived only in 1989 when it was settled by six monks. You can get a tour by boat from the second largest city of Russia – St. Petersburg, and then be able to visit not only for Balaam, but also to the reserve of Kizhi.
Pilgrimage cannot be combined with the rest?
Travel Agencies often go to meet the customers’ needs and offer a trip in which the assigned time, not only visits to monasteries, but also relax on the beach and excursions to various secular attractions. But do not forget that the main purpose of pilgrimage is not to please body and soul to help you and thus geing constantly distracted by the entertainment will be wrong.
The Holy Land, Israel
The most popular foreign pilgrimage tour – to the Holy Land. Around a thousand years pilgrims have sought to visit the places where biblical events unfolded: the place of baptism of the Savior in the Jordan River to Jericho, and, of course, in Jerusalem, to see the place of the Last Supper of the Elders of the chamber, the tomb of King David, the Cross, Calvary Temple Nativity, the place of the Ascension, and other sacred places.
Participants of the tour are all the way prayers?
Everything depends on the organizers. Sometimes they actually offer participants traveling to pray for a successful road or before a meal, but it does not always happen, and, of course, no one will force you to pray continuously during the whole trip.
Sinai, Egypt
At the northern foot of Mount Sinai on the Zapata peninsula, according to tradition, Moses saw the Burning Bush, now on this site is Catherine’s Monastery. Two paths open up from there: a long and flat, part of which can be overcome horseback, and a short but very difficult, usually chosen by the pilgrims if they are able to overcome the 3100 levels. Mount Sinai – the place where once God came to Moses and gave him the tablets of the Ten Commandments. At the top in honor of this event was built a Greek temple of the Holy Trinity. Not far beneath the rock, a small cave where the prophet spent 40 days and nights.
During the trip, women have to walk in headscarves and skirts?
How to dress while in the way – it’s your choice. Often in groups there are a lot of girls in the usual jeans and other “secular” comfortable clothes.
Istanbul, Turkey
During the pilgrimage to Turkey it’s worth to visit Istanbul – the heir of Constantinople, to visit the ancient Byzantine St. Sophia Cathedral, decorated with marvelous golden mosaics. After the Ottoman conquest it was converted into a mosque, and in 1935 became a museum, but is still considered a sacred place for Orthodox Christians. Pilgrims must also go to Blachernae shrine of the Virgin, the Church of Constantine and Helena and monasteries of the Holy Trinity and St. George on the Princes Islands.
All Orthodox churches have the same rules of conduct?
Abroad you must necessarily take into account local peculiarities. So, if you go on a pilgrimage to Bulgaria or Greece, you should know that local councils would react calmly to the pants and bared head, but not to the open shoulders.
Cetinje, Montenegro
Among the Balkan mountains, in a monastery of the former capital of Montenegro, Cetinje are stored the greatest Christian shrines – Hand of John the Baptist, which, according to tradition was baptized Christ, the miraculous icon of the Mother of God and the particle Filaremos Cross.
Are pilgrims settled anywhere?
Well, most of the time the companies are providing the guests with some kind of hotel type place… but in some cases you might get an exception of being able to get your one spot.
Ethiopia
Many sacred sites revered by the Orthodox believers are in Ethiopia. In the city of Aksu in the church of St. Mary Zion kept the Ark in Lalibela carved in solid rock, several churches, designed to symbolize the New Jerusalem, and Debra Marcos high up the cliff on the edge of the gorge is founded in the XIII century, the largest monastery of the country – Debre Libanos.
We’ll have to eat only lean foods?
When the pilgrimage comes at a time of fasting, it is possible that the diet will be somewhat limited, although the Church officially allows travelers not fasting. The rest of the food will depend on the organizers of the trip. However, this question is always better to find out in advance, though, if you live in an ordinary hotel, the problems with the choice of dishes will not arise.
Puhtitsa, Estonia
Here you will find the image of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin. In honor of the miracle of the XVI century, local residents erected a chapel, and in 1891 near the village of Kuremäe an Orthodox nunnery was founded. During its existence, the monastery has never stopped working, and pilgrims still be attached to the ancient wonder-working icon.
What other rules must comply with the pilgrims?
The main thing is to respect the companions and their religious beliefs. Typically, such trips are not welcoming smoking and alcohol consumption. However, in a hotel room where you will be settled will be for only one sex or for crowned married couples.
