Over 25,000 people participated in the Velikoretsky Procession of the Cross in Kirov region, which started last Friday.
Over 25,000 people participated in the Velikoretsky Procession of the Cross in Kirov region, which started last Friday.
The procession of the Cross in Velikoretsky village is considered to be the longest, oldest and most massive procession of its kind in Russia.
In just six days, June 3-8, pilgrims are expected to cover the city of Kirov – Velikaya River (village of Velikoretsky in Yurian province of Kirov region) – Kirov city route.
Pilgrims are heading to Velikaya River where St. Nicholas's icon is
The Divine Liturgy was delivered there on June 6.
The tradition is traced back to 1383, when a local resident of Krutytsy Village, Semen Agalakov, found the holy icon of St. Nicholas on the river bank. A wooden chapel, a place for pilgrimage, was built there later on.
In 1392, the icon was sent to the city of Khlynov, later renamed to Vyatka, and now known as Kirov. The residents of Khlynov vowed to come back to the place annually where the holy icon had been found. This is how the Velikoretsky Procession of the Cross, one of the oldest traditions of Vyatka region, emerged.
In 1392, the icon was sent to the city of Khlynov, later renamed to Vyatka, and now known as Kirov. The residents of Khlynov vowed to come back to the place annually where the holy icon had been found. This is how the Velikoretsky Procession of the Cross, one of the oldest traditions of Vyatka region, emerged.
Procession participant during a rest break.
Procession participant
Participants of the Velikoretsky Procession of the Cross
Participant of the Procession
Procession participants
Procession participants
