« Pilgrimage to Holy relics of St Nicholas to Bari, Italy »

By the Blessing of His Eminence Matthew, Bishop of Sourozh, with support of benefactors of Sourozh Diocese, 16-20 December 2018, pilgrimage of Sourozh Clergy and Parishioners to attend Festivities of St Nicholas the Wonder-worker in Bari, Italy, have taken place. Group of parishioners has been led by Fr Anatoly Vihrov, who is rector of parishes of St Xenia of St Petersburg and Parish of the Meeting of the Lord in Leeds.

On their arrival to Bari, parishioners joined larger group of more than 300 pilgrims from various diocese of Russian Church. The joint group has been led by His Eminence Georgi, Metropolitan of Nizhegorod and Arzamas.

While on their pilgrimage, pilgrims have visited surroundings of Bari, as well as nearby town of Alberobello, where pilgrims venerated holy relics of Saints Cosmas and Damian of Arabia.

At the day of St Nicholas The Wonder-worker Feast Day, Liturgy was led by the Head of Department of External Affairs, Metropolitan, His Eminence Hillarion of Volokolamsk. During the Liturgy, vl Hilarion as Permanent member of the Holy Synod, has been assisted by His Eminence Georgi Metropolitan of Nizhegorod and Arzamas, as well as scores of clergy from various regions of Russia, as well as clergy from countries of "far and near" abroad. 

The Services were accompanied by Moscow Synodal Choir of Alexii Puzakov and

Hierarhial Choir of Nizhgorod diocese hede by deacon Antony Molev.

The important part of the pilgrimage were meetings of our pilgrims with clergy and parishioners from other dioceses, which were delighted to share their experiences of everyday life in their parishes. Our parishioners had very moving meeting with the nun of NIkolo-Sabin Monastery, which specializes in care for orphaned girls of young age.

After final communal dinner (trapeza) which has been served for all pilgrims in combined large group, our diocese pilgrims have returned to UK.

Our father St Nicholas, Pray Unto God for Us!

Photogallery