Pilgrimage tours are becoming increasingly popular these days. Various large and not so large travel agencies vying with each other to visit holy places. They promise that you will receive grace and spiritual enlightenment only by touching the shrines. Pilgrimage is becoming incredibly fashionable, because in “high society” it is so nice to show off your piety by mentioning a trip to Jerusalem or Mount Athos. But few people seriously think about what real pilgrims should be like. These are, in fact, not at all the people who roam the cities of Palestine in crowds with cameras and stand with curiosity at the Western Wall. Pilgrimage is something deeper and more spiritual, which renews a person and lifts him above all worldly problems. Today our article is devoted to this very topic.
Pilgrims - who are they?
The history of pilgrimage goes back to the distant past. Even in the Old Testament, cases of traveling to certain places for prayer and sacrifices are mentioned. But the term itself came to us from the Latin language; translated from it, pilgrims are people who go on a journey to places that have sacred meaning for believers. In Latin, the word means “palm branch,” because it symbolizes the entry of Jesus Christ into Jerusalem. In Russia, this symbol is replaced by young willow shoots.
Brief description of the pilgrimage
Some people firmly believe that a pilgrim has no nationality or religion during his journey. He is guided by faith in a single higher power, and what religion he belongs to does not matter. Actually this is not true. After all, each religious movement has its own holy places that must be visited. Moreover, certain time periods are also outlined when it is worth going to worship at certain shrines. For example, an Orthodox pilgrim considers it his duty to touch the Holy Sepulcher during Easter week. At this time, the soul of a true Christian is filled with incredible love, light and piety.
Besides Christians, pilgrimage is very common among Muslims, Buddhists and Shintoists. Also quite often, residents of Nepal and India go to holy places. According to their religious beliefs, every resident of the country should go on a pilgrimage at least once in their life. Only after this can you arrange your worldly life and start a family. Moreover, in the future it is not forbidden to visit holy places more than once; everything depends on the spiritual development and needs of the believer himself.
A few facts from the history of pilgrimage
We have already noted that in the New and Old Testament the first “walks” to holy places are mentioned. But it is still quite difficult to call them full-fledged pilgrimages. Historians believe that this movement began to spread around the third century. During this period, there was severe persecution of Christians by the Romans, who sought to destroy almost all reminders of Christ and even rename the cities in which the Savior worked his miracles.
Since the fourth century, when Christians were no longer persecuted by the authorities, pilgrimages to the Holy Land became very common. Believers actively traveled and talked about miraculous events that happened to them during their trip to places of worship.
In the fifteenth century, Catholic pilgrims were required to seek permission for their journey from the Pope; they dressed in special clothes on which a red cross was sewn. Many shipowners entered into special contracts with groups of pilgrims and accompanied them on their journey. We can say that these were the first organized pilgrimage tours. After all, taxes were paid for the group, everyone was provided with food and taken to the most famous holy places.
At the end of the nineteenth century, pilgrimage groups reached about three hundred people. Entire sea vessels were hired to transport them, and such a journey could last more than one year.
Pilgrimage to Russia
An Orthodox pilgrim in Rus' is a special type of believer who is ready to travel halfway around the world to achieve his goal. Initially, such trips were chaotic and unorganized, but by the twelfth century they had become so widespread that the clergy were even forced to stop many parishioners from the long and difficult journey. The pilgrims brought many interesting things from their trips. For example, Russian believers brought special clothing symbolizing their status from Constantinople. It “took root” in Rus' and became a distinctive sign by which one Orthodox pilgrim recognized another.
Of course, over the course of several centuries, attitudes towards travel to the Holy Land changed frequently. They either stopped almost completely due to the unstable situation in the Middle East, or resumed again. Since the mid-nineteenth century, pilgrimage trips to Jerusalem have become increasingly popular among Orthodox Christians. Nowadays, interest in pilgrimage is growing not only among churchgoers, but also among those who are taking their first steps on the path to God.
Pilgrimage routes
Over many years of “going” to holy places, directions have been determined that are priorities for Orthodox Christians. They can be represented by the following list:
- Palestine;
- Greek Athos;
- relics of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker (Italy);
- right hand of John the Baptist (Cetina, Montenegro).
Of course, this is not a complete list of places where pilgrims come to worship. But for those who set out on such a journey for the first time, it is enough to visit one shrine. Don’t get carried away and try to embrace the immensity.
The position of the Orthodox Church in relation to pilgrimage
Clergymen do not always have a clear attitude towards traveling to the Holy Land. Indeed, in most cases, newly-made pilgrims treat them as something fashionable. But holy places do not tolerate emptiness of soul and vanity in hearts, so you should not become like fashion trends and rush to get ready, inspired by the stories of friends or work colleagues. The clergy say that pilgrimages to the Holy Land must be purposeful. That is, a person must clearly understand what he wants to get during this journey. And the result of the pilgrimage cannot be expressed in something material; the main thing is spiritual nourishment and strengthening in faith.
Preparing for the pilgrimage: main stages
Perhaps this will seem strange to the laity, but before going to holy places, pilgrims are prepared for some time. Usually this is done only by churchgoers who understand what a pilgrimage is. The preparatory stage can be divided into several mandatory points:
- gospel study;
- repentance;
- communion;
- reading church literature about the place of pilgrimage;
- asking permission to travel from the priest.
If you complete all the above points, then before your long-awaited trip you will be able to answer the question why you need a trip to holy places.
Organized pilgrimage trips to Jerusalem: description and approximate cost
Today, almost anyone can go on a pilgrimage; to do this, you just need to contact a travel agency. Most of them organize special tours to holy places, most often travelers go to Jerusalem.
If we analyze all the offers on the tourism market, we can say with confidence that most trips do not last more than eight days. They usually include not only Jerusalem, but also several other places. The most popular pilgrimage route is Bethlehem - Jerusalem - Jordan River. Orthodox Christians visit these places for a week; in a short period of time they will visit several shrines and will even be able to walk the path of Christ to Golgotha. An obligatory point of the program is the Edicule - the place where, according to assumptions, the body of Christ was transferred after the crucifixion. The temple, built over an ancient cave, is a shrine for Christians of all faiths.
Such pilgrimages are made mainly from Moscow, and the cost of a trip starts from fifty thousand rubles. This amount includes airfare Moscow - Tel Aviv, hotel accommodation, local travel and meals (breakfast).
Unfortunately, in the modern world, pilgrims are more often wealthy tourists who can afford an expensive tour than people in need of spiritual development and renewal. This is why the very concept of “going to holy places” is so devalued in society. But if you experience an inner heartfelt thirst, as the clergy say, for holy places, and are ready to overcome a lot of difficulties in order to make a long journey, then rest assured that you are a real pilgrim, blessed by God.
Note ed., – A pilgrimage is a journey to holy places. Pilgrimage in Orthodox Christianity is often called “Orthodox tourism,” which is not entirely true, because pilgrimage is not very similar to a tourist trip. Pilgrims set out on the journey for the sake of prayer, communication with God and the opportunity to see Orthodox shrines. One must prepare spiritually for such a journey. Often pilgrims overcome difficulties, fast, and specifically take certain vows. Many people go on pilgrimage to work in a monastery or for missionary work, talking about Christ along the way. Pilgrimage is an ancient tradition. Many churches and monasteries have special pilgrimage services. Pilgrimage traditions had already formed, and the first pilgrimages took place in apostolic times.
An ordinary nightmare
From the personal. 2003 The tenth anniversary of the death of Hieromonk Vasily and the monks Trofim and Ferapont. All of Moscow takes off and goes to Optina Pustyn. There are so many people visiting the monastery that some set up tents right on the square in front of the gate.
The decision to go is made spontaneously when one comes across a piece of paper with the travel schedule of a pilgrimage service with a nice name. Call:
- Yes, of course, there are places.
And we're going.
In a good way, we should have been on our guard as soon as it became clear that the bus was leaving the center of Moscow at 22:00 on Saturday. Moreover, there was an opportunity to leave for the whole weekend.
Theoretically, such a departure time made it possible to attend Vespers. In fact, we were just getting through the whole city to the landing site. And then... go back.
The third ring did not exist then, and the driver had no choice but to get out of the city along radii. Which he did until about one in the morning. So the commercial calculation to gather travelers from all areas, multiplied by the evening rush hour, cost us three to four extra hours of travel.
Five in the morning. The bus finally pulls up to the monastery. According to the guide, there is an hour left before the start of the early liturgy. Someone is trying to take a nap in a chair. The most experienced ones remember that immersing in the springs after communion is usually not blessed.
Hearing the question: “Where is the source?” – the accompanying girl is frankly scared. It was her first time on this route; she was provided with some information about churches and the schedule of services, but it was simply useless to pester her for everything else.
The group of the most awakened ones gets off the bus in a line and stretches along the road leading away from the gate. The outlines of the monastery slowly disappear in the thick pre-dawn fog. Fortunately, at this early hour, one of the locals comes across and, frankly stunned by the sight of the procession of twenty-five people, who by that time had tramped a good half way to Kozelsk, asks the question: “Where are you going,...good people?”...
The same road
Then we stand in lines endlessly – first for confession. (Actually, morning confession in the monastery is intended for those who go to the late liturgy, but we won’t have time for it - the bus will leave. Luckily, the queue lets us through).
Then - during the liturgy itself - behind candles, notes and prosphora. Even if the escort knew about the existence of a shop in the basement of the Kazan Cathedral, at five in the morning it would hardly have helped us.
Closer to noon, having galloped around Optina and, it seems, Skete, a group of completely exhausted and hungry people (they warned us that they wouldn’t feed us in the monastery and we had to take food with us) departed for Shamordino...
Shamordino. Mr. Meadow
Orthodox pilgrimage and Orthodox tourism
IN recent years There is more and more talk about the existence of two close, but still different phenomena – Orthodox pilgrimage and Orthodox (or “Orthodox-oriented”) tourism.
From the point of view of specialists, the latter is serviced by personnel trained in the specialty “hotel business”. That is, all the usual disciplines are studied - marketing, management, basics of pr. It’s just that the activity then turns out to be “thematic”.
For the user, the main difference is different. A pilgrimage is a feat where the main goal is to visit services and shrines. The question of where you will eat/sleep, and how interested you will be, is decided secondarily on a trip for this purpose. (I remember how in the same Optina, groups of pilgrims spent the night on rugs right on the salt of the Vvedensky Church).
Orthodox tourism, in addition to a certain amount of comfort, involves the usual educational and educational program. That is, “look to the right, look to the left,” albeit with a special theme.
Neither mouse nor frog...
A separate problem is that the field in which most modern pilgrimage services operate is located exactly in the middle between these phenomena.
On the one hand, the trips they offer are declared as “pilgrimage”, and therefore most participants are focused on two things: 1) get to the place; 2) for as little money as possible. To be especially outraged by the level of comfort and quality of service in such a company is somehow “not comme il faut.” On the other hand, sending a group for a week to some Far Abroad without any amenities or documents is also unrealistic.
As a result, terms like “service agreement”, “transfer”, “hotel reservation” and the like begin to flicker on the horizon only during long-distance, especially foreign, travel. In the case of short-term domestic trips, it often happens that no papers are signed with the traveler at all, offering to “transfer the money directly to the tour guide on the bus.”
Meanwhile, one must understand that the “pilgrimage service” is the same travel company. And she works with tourist pilgrims, on the one hand, and with staff - drivers accompanying groups - on the other.
In the worst case, even if the number of groups on the route is limited, and their schedule is determined six months in advance, this personnel may turn out to be one-time hires.
In addition, often, a pilgrimage service (tour company) acts as an intermediary between customers of services (pilgrims) and numerous local sellers - carriers, hotels, tour guides, or a grandmother from the private sector in the vicinity of Diveevo, who rents out a corner for the night.
So it is quite possible to travel twice along the same route with the same service - and get a completely different set of information, services and impressions.
And in general, if you were taken to a place, but were told almost nothing, were misdirected and were not accommodated very well, be prepared for the objection “we only undertook to deliver you.”
And, it’s true, you don’t have a contract in your hands, and in all advertising brochures, among the services provided by the agency itself, usually only a “comfortable bus” is listed.
What to do?
- First things first, decide on your goals. You can start looking for a trip by typing the word “pilgrimage” into a search engine if you are really ready for a feat. That is, your goal is to visit the shrines and a night spent on the salt of a temple or two-story bunks of a hotel for workers will not bother you.
- In any case, you should ask about travel, accommodation and accommodation conditions in advance. I also had to see the hysterics of people who, as it seemed to them, were just buying a “cheap excursion” when checking into the monastery hotel.
- Practice has shown that the best trips to monasteries are organized from their farmsteads. Yes, in this case you will not receive any papers either, because formally the group will be voluntary, and the cost of the trip will be considered a donation. But the people who will take you are not personnel hired one-time for one trip. Most likely, they have been working at the temple for many years on this one route (and not on forty different ones). Moreover, they themselves have been to the monastery more than once as pilgrims and therefore are aware of not only the schedule of services, but they will tell you everything about local shrines, the location of candle and icon shops, and will even tell you the time when they are least crowded. In addition, household groups, more often than others, are accommodated in monastery hotels and fed in refectories.
- Absolutely ideal option pilgrimage - a group of parishioners who goes on a trip with a priest. Of course, such an event may not be the cheapest, not regular and quite troublesome to organize. But all the inconveniences are compensated by the situation when the trip is arranged with your own people, for your own people and exactly where you want to go. In general, the option when pilgrims are accompanied by a priest (now practiced for foreign trips and by some pilgrimage services) has many advantages. On site, the group “with the priest” can be allowed to enter the shrine without a queue. Yes, and a prayer service or litiya can be served without waiting for what is stated in the monastery schedule.
- In general, you need to listen most carefully to the schedule on site. It’s even more convenient to look for fellow travelers on the bus who are not going to the place for the first time. Of course, you are not required to follow your group in formation from two days to two weeks. A clear understanding of where and when everything is served and when the bus leaves will provide you with the optimal amount of freedom.
And happy pilgrimage.
Each of us has heard about pilgrimage at least once in our lives. Many people, representatives of the same religion, travel to sacred places that are revered by one religion or another. Whether they do it alone or in groups does not matter. The main thing is to have pure intentions and a submissive body, as well as a soul full of repentance and a heart characterized by sincere faith. Pilgrimage is the desire of the lost lambs of God to worship the holy lands and cities.
A little history
From deep ancient, immemorial times, the term “pilgrimage” came into modern language. This is a derivative of the word "palm". The branches of this tree were brought from sacred territories by the first Christians who went there to receive the blessing of the Almighty. They usually traveled during the great holiday on the eve of Easter, which glorified the entry of Christ into Jerusalem. In Russia and others it is called “Palm Sunday”. But one should not think that only Christians engaged in pilgrimage. For example, in ancient India, local residents traveled a couple of times a year to lands where, according to legend, certain deities lived. In this way they tried to absorb the energy of the revered creatures that remained here in every stone and tree. And in Greece, pilgrims from all over the country went to Delphi: the soothsayer Pythia lived in the local temple, who predicted fate on behalf of higher powers.
The essence of the pilgrimage changed slightly in the Middle Ages. It was then that it became what we know it today. During the heyday of the Christian religion, people began to travel en masse to Jerusalem to visit what was built under Emperor Constantine. In the 15th century, signs and special routes were developed for travelers from Europe: from the Rhone River to the banks of the Jordan. The Crusades finally strengthened the tradition of pilgrimage to the Holy Land. It is known that today about 200 million people observe the ritual annually.
Main types and essence of pilgrimage
Believers go on a dangerous, long and difficult journey not only for the sake of prayer and forgiveness for their sins. Often their goal is much nobler: to find the meaning of life, to know their purpose, to find grace, to show devotion to religious beliefs. Sometimes the pilgrims’ desires are absolutely earthly: to ask for a long-awaited baby, to be healed of an illness, to get rid of mental suffering. In any case, such a journey presupposes a certain attitude of a person to reality. The idea is absolutely simple: voluntarily take on difficulties, accept difficult road conditions, spend some time in restrictions in order to achieve a higher goal. This symbolizes humanity's refusal material assets and physical pleasures for the sake of spiritual and eternal ideals.
Depending on various characteristics, types of pilgrimage are distinguished. These can be foreign and domestic cities or to sacred places in the wild, voluntary and mandatory, individual and group, long or short trips. By the way, as for the time period, previously, in accordance with Orthodox canons, a trip that lasted at least 10 days was considered a real pilgrimage. Travel can also take place at any time of the year or coincide with a specific holiday.
Geography
Recently, pilgrimage has a new psychological basis and geographical orientation: it is not only a trip to holy places, but also a trip for health purposes. Therefore, representatives of different faiths go to the East to learn a new religion and secrets there. traditional treatment for which these lands are so famous. In India, China, Japan, Tibet and Nepal, they settle at temples: they communicate with monks, attend services with their permission, and adopt healing practices from them. For example, in Delhi and its surrounding area, Ayurveda is very popular - a complex science specializing in rejuvenation and treatment of the body. The teaching is aimed at restoring the harmony of man and the Universe, since it is the violation of this balance that provokes the development of physical and mental illnesses. Instead, many tourists visit China to practice qigong, a set of breathing and movement exercises that help replenish energy and mental strength. The purpose of such trips is not only to help heal, but also to enrich themselves morally and spiritually.
As for religion specifically, these days the main places of pilgrimage in the world are:
- Republics of the CIS. Some of them (Russia, Ukraine, Belarus) are the center of Orthodoxy.
- Europe. The dominant movements here are Catholicism and Protestantism.
- North and Latin America. Christian belief predominates.
- Africa. Islam is widespread, but there are also Christian centers.
- Asia. It is characterized by Islam, as well as Judaism and Buddhism.
Each continent has its own holy monuments that are a must to visit and view.
Christian pilgrimage
For more than two thousand years, representatives of the Christian world have been wanting to see the Holy Land - Jerusalem. Those who make an Orthodox pilgrimage are attracted and attracted by the Holy Sepulcher like no other place on the planet. This territory is the cradle of all Christianity, overflowing with the beauty of Palestinian landscapes, the mystery of night services and the wonderful atmosphere of sacred monuments. Israel is a sacred country in itself. We learn about him from the first pages of the Bible: Christ was born on this earth, here he grew up, preached and was executed. Pilgrimage to the Holy Sepulcher was common back in the days of ancient Rus'. But the founder of the modern movement is rightfully considered the mother of Emperor Constantine, Saint Helena. Being in old age, she went here in search of the cross on which the earthly life of Jesus ended. The discovery of the “true and honest” crucifixion is invariably associated with this historical figure.
Religious pilgrimage is always carried out with the blessing of the church. This is not only a trip to the Holy Land, but also constant prayers, repentance, spiritual work on oneself, purification and humility. The journey of pilgrims usually begins in the Negev: the endless expanses of the desert are associated with the images of the patriarchs and important events from the Old Testament. The basis of the route is a visit to Jerusalem. From here you can organize tours to Galilee, Bethlehem, Jericho, the Dead Sea and other sacred places. This route is conditional. Each pilgrim can supplement it with other interesting places.
Main holy places
Jerusalem is a holy city not only for Orthodoxy, but also for representatives of Judaism and Islam. Many events are associated with it, including the birth and death of Christ. What objects should the Orthodox pilgrimage begin with here? Firstly, you should definitely visit. Unfortunately, all that remains of it are ruins - including the famous Western Wall. Second, go to the Mount of Olives and the Garden of Gethsemane - where Jesus prayed before he was arrested. Thirdly, it is important for pilgrims to see the Church of the Passion of the Lord: it was built in the 20th century, but it simply perfectly recreates the architecture of those times when Christ walked these streets.
Bethlehem is another Christian shrine. The Church of the Nativity of Christ is located on Arab territory. It is built around a large grotto, in which the little Savior was born among the cattle. What is most interesting is that every Christian denomination has its place in this church. Don't forget about visiting Nazareth - Galilee. It was here that Mary learned from an angel that she would soon become the mother of the long-awaited Messiah. The slightly older Jesus settled in the same city, having returned with his parents from Egypt, where he was fleeing the persecution of Herod. He spent his entire childhood and youth in Galilee, performed his first miracles and found faithful followers and disciples.
Pilgrimage to Europe
The first country you should go to is, of course, Italy. Its capital, Rome, is the Eternal City, the arena for the establishment of world Christianity. The local Orthodox and Catholic churches are popular places of pilgrimage, because their walls contain many shrines associated with the apostles. For example, St. Peter's Basilica houses the relics and relics of the great disciple and follower of Jesus. Also here are the graves of other faithful followers of the Christian Church, not to mention unsurpassed masterpieces and monuments of world art. In another Italian city - Loreto - be sure to visit the basilica, which is called the original house of Mary. According to legend, heavenly angels, in order to protect the mother of Christ, moved her house several times: ultimately it ended up in Loreto.
The third most important pilgrimage site is Santiago de Compostela in Spain. The local cathedral houses the tomb of St. James, so guarding the road to this relic was a matter of honor for many kings. If you want to make a pilgrimage to the monastery, be sure to choose Athos. The shrine, located on the Greek peninsula, is one of the most mysterious places on the planet, which is shrouded in many legends and myths. They say that Mary herself preached faith in Christ here. Since then, the monks, having left the bustle of the world, live and pray on Athos. And every person who comes here feels a special beneficial atmosphere that permeates every piece of land.
What to see in Russia?
There are also many shrines in our country where a tired and lost soul can find shelter, find peace, and receive a blessing. The Russian pilgrimage begins from the Solovetsky archipelago, where the famous monastery is located - the cultural and spiritual center of the North. IN Soviet era it was used to house prisoners, but after the end of that sad time, the former spirit of antiquity returned to these walls. To feel the sacred atmosphere, you need to live in Solovki for at least a week. You should definitely visit the Trinity-Sergius Lavra - the largest monastery in Russia. This is not only a treasury of ancient Russian art, but also a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
As for the Diveyevo Monastery, it is called another earthly inheritance of the Mother of God. In the 18th century, Hierodeacon Seraphim took him under his wing, and later became a revered Russian saint. Here rest his relics, possessing miraculous powers. Don't miss the opportunity to collect healing water from a spring on the territory of the monastery. They say it helps with any physical and mental ailment. Another monastery popular with pilgrims is the Pskov-Pechersk Monastery. It is located in the dungeons. Caves are used as tombs, since human remains do not decompose here. Nearby was built the Assumption Church, which houses miraculous icons.
Hajj in Islam
This is what the Muslim pilgrimage is called. Every representative of this religion must perform it at least once in his life. Those who have gone through a difficult journey are called “hajis.” To travel, a Muslim must reach the age of majority, profess Islam, be mentally healthy and wealthy enough to support not only himself during the pilgrimage, but also his family back home. During the Hajj, he is not allowed to smoke, drink alcohol, enjoy intimate relationships, engage in trade, and so on.
The Muslim pilgrimage begins with dressing a person in white clothes, which, being the same for everyone, hide his public and social status. The first ritual is a walk around the House of Allah - the Kaaba - the main shrine of Muslims located in Mecca. After this, the person runs the distance between the sacred hills of Marwa and Safa seven times, after which he drinks healing water from the Zam-Zam spring. Only after this does he go to the Arafat Valley, which is located near Mecca. The culmination of the ritual is continuous prayers in this area. The ritual is complex, as the pilgrim must stand motionless under the scorching sun from midday until sunset. Having passed the test, he is allowed to participate in general collective prayer. The next day the man heads to another valley - Mina. Here he throws seven stones at a pillar - a symbol of Satan, takes part in the ritual of sacrifice and returns to Mecca for the last tour around the Kaaba.
Mecca and Medina
These are the main cities of pilgrimage for Muslims. According to the Koran, the prophet Muhammad was born in Mecca, where he began his sacred mission - prophecy. As already mentioned, this city is home to the Kaaba, a ritual stone that attracts hundreds of thousands of Muslims every year. The boulder is located in the courtyard of the Great Mosque - one of the main Islamic minarets. Religious doctrine says: every believer must visit its territory. Usually such a trip is made in lunar month Dhul-Hijjah. Muslims are sure that pilgrimage and hardship are synonymous. Therefore, despite the presence of many comfortable hotels in Mecca, they stay in poor tent camps, simply set up on damp ground.
Medina is another important place for a person practicing Islam. Translated from Latin, its name sounds like “radiant city.” Its visit is included in the obligatory program of the Hajj, since it is here that the grave of Muhammad is located. In addition, the city became the first settlement in which Islam triumphed. The Great Mosque of the Prophet was built here, the capacity of which reaches 900 thousand people. The building is equipped with an automatic umbrella system to create shade, as well as modern air conditioning and escalators.
Buddhist holy places
For representatives of this ancient religion, pilgrimage is a way to achieve the highest bliss by breathing the sacred air in sacred territories. By the way, they are located in Tibet, China, Buryatia, but the largest number of them are still located in India - the cradle of Buddhism. The first most visited place is the Bodhi tree, under which, according to legend, Buddha loved to meditate. It was in the shade of green space that he achieved the greatest Nirvana. The second important reminder is the city of Kapilavastu: Buddha spent his childhood there and learned all aspects of the unsightly existence of man. And he made a decision: to renounce civilization in order to comprehend the ways of salvation and sacred truth.
A pilgrimage to holy places among Buddhists is not complete without a visit to the Royal Palace near Patna. On a nearby hill, Buddha told followers about his teachings. Luxurious mansions are literally surrounded by attractions. When considering them, do not forget about the last place on the list, but not least, Sarnath. Here Buddha preached his first sermon. Pilgrims from all over the world come to Varanasi to feel through the centuries the sacred words of the saint, filled with eternal wisdom and deep meaning of life.
Pilgrimage in Rus' can be divided into two independent branches, defined by the very history of the Christian religion: the actual pilgrimage to the Holy Land and the pilgrimage to holy places on the territory of Rus', as the center of world Orthodoxy. Pilgrimage to the Holy Land began in Rus' in the early times of Christianity. Historians date the first documented pilgrims to the 11th century. So in 1062, Abbot Varlaam of Dmitriev visited Palestine. Clergy who were literate and able to convey their impressions to the church were appointed to the pilgrimage. Essentially the first Russian pilgrim who left fairly detailed notes about his wanderings on St. Land, was abbot Daniel. He left notes known as “Walking” (1106-1107), which were copied in large quantities, preserved and published many times in the 19th century, as well as earlier. Another famous pilgrim is Archbishop Anthony of Novgorod, who made a pilgrimage to Russian holy places at the end of the 12th century. He compiled unique descriptions of the St. Sophia Cathedral and its treasures, which were later lost as a result of wars and destruction. In 1167, the Venerable Euphrosyne of Polotsk (daughter of Prince Svyatoslav-George Vseslavovich of Polotsk) made a pilgrimage to Jerusalem. In 1350, a pilgrimage to St. The land was visited by the Novgorod monk Stefan, who left detailed descriptions of the Constantinople shrines. It is known that he also visited Jerusalem, but written accounts are lost. In 1370, a pilgrimage to Jerusalem was made by Archimandrite Agrefenya, who left unique descriptions of the shrines of Jerusalem (published in 1896). further in this period of the late XIV century. travels to Jerusalem, Constantinople and Athos by Deacon Ignatius Smolyanin and Novgorod Archbishop Vasily are known. The “walk of the holy monk Barsanuphius to the holy city of Jerusalem” is known, discovered in a manuscript of the first quarter of the 17th century. in 1893 N. S. Tikhonravov. It contains a description of two pilgrimage passages: in 1456. - to Jerusalem from Kyiv through Belgorod, Constantinople, Cyprus, Tripoli, Beirut and Damascus, and in 1461-1462. - through Belgorod, Damietta, Egypt and Sinai. Barsanuphius was the first of the Russian pilgrims to describe St. in sufficient detail and accurately. Mount Sinai.
From the middle of the 15th century. A new stage is beginning in the history of Russian pilgrimage. After the capture of Constantinople by the Turks, many Christian shrines of the East were finally lost. The pilgrimage became difficult and unsafe. An institution and tradition of pilgrimage to local shrines is being formed. Russian pilgrimage to St. Land in the period XV-XVI centuries. insignificant in number, there are few descriptions of travel. Famous ones include the circulation in 1558-1561. merchant Vasily Poznyakov, who gave a unique description of the Jerusalem and Sinai shrines. The famous “Proskinitarium” of Arseny Sukhanov, hieromonk, builder of the Trinity-Sergius Epiphany Monastery and cellarer of the Trinity-Sergius Lavra, also owes its origin to the official commission. In 1649 he visited Mount Athos, and in February 1651. he visited Constantinople, Chios, Rhodes and other islands of the Greek archipelago, penetrated Egypt and Jerusalem, and returned through Asia Minor and the Caucasus in June 1653. to Moscow. Thanks to the rich “alms” that were provided to him, Arseny managed to take 700 unique manuscripts from Athos and other places, which are considered an adornment of the Moscow Synodal Library.
Later in the 18th century. The pilgrimage of the traveler Vasily of Kyiv, who devoted himself to the study of the Orthodox East, is known. In Rus' there is a firm conviction that the Orthodox faith is preserved in its purity only here, that Holy Rus' remains the only Orthodox kingdom. Many church leaders of that period called for pilgrimages to the borders of Rus', to draw piety and educate with national origins. The times of mass pilgrimage to Russian holy places are coming. In the XVI-XVII centuries. Rus' was recognized as the center of the Orthodox world even outside the state. Representatives of local Orthodox churches visited the Moscow state for pilgrimage purposes. Valaam and Solovki became centers of pilgrimage.
Sometimes people go on a pilgrimage “to repentance” in order to be cleansed of sin through the feat of pilgrimage. Russian people often undertook votive pilgrimages - according to vows, given to God in illness or everyday sorrow. Even more often, sick people went to the shrines, hoping for healing from bodily or mental illness through touching the shrine.
A pilgrimage by vocation takes place when the Lord Himself or some saint in a dream or vision called a person to go somewhere. Russian pilgrims most often went to Kyiv, wanting to visit the “Mother of Russian Cities”, with her shrines, primarily the Kiev Pechersk Lavra, its Near and Far Caves with numerous relics of holy ascetics. The most important Russian center of pilgrimage in the 15th century. the Trinity-Sergeev Lavra appeared, where even Russian tsars, according to tradition, went to bow to the abbot of the Russian land, St. Sergius. In the 19th and early 20th centuries. Sarov and Optina Pustyn also became especially visited centers of pilgrimage. The last of them stands somewhat apart. Pilgrimages were made to Optina solely for the purpose of communicating with the elders.
The pilgrimage usually took place in the warm season. This is explained by the fact that real pilgrims were supposed to go to holy places on foot in order to work for the glory of God. Orthodox pilgrims did not have a special costume (unlike Western pilgrims), but their mandatory equipment was a staff, a bag of crackers and a vessel for water.
XX century - a time of mass pilgrimages to the holy places of Russia. After 1910 The Moscow priest of the Church of the Resurrection in Kadashi, Father Nikolai (Smirnov), began parish pilgrimages in the outskirts of Moscow and in distant monasteries. Others followed his example. It is known, for example, that even after the revolution in the 1920s, the parish of the Church of St. Mitrophanius of Voronezh, under the leadership of its rector, Father Vladimir Medvedyuk, made near and far pilgrimages (including to Sarov). Today this pious tradition has been revived. Almost every church has its own experience in conducting pilgrimage trips or trips to Russian shrines: these are the Trinity Church in Ostankino, the Temple of the Apostle Philip, the Church of the Ascension (Malaya) and other parishes. In St. Petersburg, the Valaam Monastery has its own pilgrimage service, which organizes pilgrimage trips to the islands of Valaam and Konevets. In June 1997 The head of the Orthodox Church of Russia, Patriarch Alexy II, made a pilgrimage to Jerusalem.
