On Saturday, with the blessing of Bishop Kirill of Sergiev-Posad and Dmitrov, for the seventeenth time the procession ‘The Path of Saint Sergius’ took place, timed to coincide with the day of the repose of the hegumen of the Russian land, which is celebrated on 8 October. The route, repeating the ancient pilgrimage route from Moscow to the Holy Trinity Sergius Lavra, begins in the village of Vozdvizhenskoye and the town of Khotkovo. Two groups of crosswalkers joined on the way and by four o'clock in the afternoon reached the Lavra, where they performed a prayer service to St Sergius at his relics.
The procession was led by Archpriest Andrey Krasheninnikov, rector of the Church of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross in the village of Vozdvizhenskoye. The pilgrimage has long since gone beyond the boundaries of a single parish and has become a diocesan event, attracting Orthodox Christians from many parts of Moscow and Moscow suburbs. Among the participants were Edinovertsy - Orthodox Old Believers, who traditionally take part in the procession. Hegumen Kirill (Sakharov), rector of the Church of St Nicholas on Bersenevka, and other Old Believer clergymen from Moscow and the Moscow suburbs joined the procession. On the way they performed services according to the old rite, as it was done at the time of the Venerable Sergius: Matins with polieleos, Nocturn, Hours, and Typica.
The whole route of about 20 kilometres was covered with prayers and singing, and on arrival at the Lavra the processionists finished with a prayer service at the relics of St. Sergius in the Trinity Cathedral. The procession is becoming an important event that unites people who honour the memory of St. Sergius of Radonezh. Thank God for the strength he gives in this difficult journey! Venerable Father Sergius, pray to God for us!
Photos: Vladimir Sayapin and organisers of the procession
