« Teachers and pupils of the cathedral parish school make a pilgrimage to Glastonbury »
24-09-2011 
On Saturday, September 24th with the blessing of the Archbishop Elisey of Sourozh a group of teachers, pupils and parents of the children's parish school of the Diocesan Cathedral of the Dormition made a pilgrimage to Glastonbury, led by Archpriest Maxim Mitrofanov. Glastonbury is one of the oldest towns in England, located in the County of Somersetshire, at the foot of the 159 metre high hill of St. Michael (Glastonbury Tor).
Glastonbury Abbey is the cradle of Christianity in Britain: to this place came the holy righteous Joseph of Arimathea , preaching the Gospel. According to a pious tradition, St. Joseph along with St. Martha, Mary and Lazarus travelled as missionaries to Gaul, and after that remained on the continent. St. Joseph went to preach the word of God in Britain. He built a church at Glastonbury, dedicated to the Mother of God, perhaps the first church in the world dedicated to the Mother of God. Later, in 166AD, King Lucius invited priests from Rome to come to Glastonbury.
The abbey is linked with the names of many great saints. According to tradition Saint David of Wales lived here, as well as St Patrick, the enlightener of Ireland, who was tonsured here and lived for three years close to the cell of St. Dunstan, the future Archbishop of Canterbury. The majestic abbey church occupies an area of 36 acres.
Upon arrival at the Abbey, a molieben was served in honour of St Joseph of Arimathea and the British saints in the chapel of the Blessed Virgin Mary. The group then visited the Chapel of St. Patrick where the magnification to the saint was sung.
The tour of the abbey ruins came alive when began as the group was transported to events of the tenth and eleventh centuries, thanks to the talented, costumed guides.
After touring the abbey, the supposed grave of King Arthur, the great ponds and grounds, the group visited the site of the Holy Chalice well.
Finally the group climbed the famous Glastonbury Tor. At the top of this hill (158 m above sea level) is a tower, built in honour of the Archangel Michael. From the top of the Tor there is a moagnificent view of the surrounding area.
The pilgrimage to these ancient British Christian had many spiritual benefits for the participants at the beginning of the school year. Perhaps such trips will become traditional for the children’s parish school.