… if they are silent, the stones will cry out
Luke. 19: 40
Even in the Stone Age, people traveled to certain places to worship spirits, take part in rites and ritual actions. Most often, such campaigns were carried out by a whole tribe, they were expected and prepared for.
In Judaism, it was customary to travel to Jerusalem at least once a year to make sacrifices in the Temple. Jesus made his first pilgrimage as a child, walking with his family from Nazareth to Jerusalem.
With the spread of Christianity, pilgrimage traditions strengthened. Being a pilgrim has never been easy. The journey took a long time, we had to overcome many difficulties, but we always trust in the Lord more during times of trial. So, even on the road, pilgrims prepared their hearts for meeting shrines, tuned in to a special religious mood.
In Orthodoxy, the concept of pilgrimage is much broader than a simple trip to a specific temple or monastery. this is:
• Confession
People who make such a journey confess their involvement in the Church, setting a pious example for others.
• Sermon
Talking about their trip, impressions, feelings, pilgrims preach Christian fundamentals Orthodoxy.
• Prayer
Thankful, questioning or reverent — prayer accompanies all the actions of the pilgrim. Through prayer, communication with the Lord occurs, the connection with him strengthens, and spiritual development occurs.
• Strengthening the Church through communication and mutual assistance of its members
Common prayer, exchange of thoughts, shared difficulties allow us to feel that we are all brothers and sisters in Christ.
• Part spiritual and moral development. people.
People are physical beings. Visiting holy places helps us to get closer to heaven, to feel the connection between the Church on earth and the Church in heaven. By venerating the relics, we establish a special connection between ourselves and the saint. The experience of a personal meeting, a deep heartfelt experience, serves as spiritual help for believers in difficult times. Holy water, consecrated ground, as well as icons help to reduce the barrier between the earthly and the heavenly.
The Holy Land Foundation believes that pilgrimage trips lead to strengthening of faith, transformation of the soul and spiritual growth.
The Charitable Foundation organizes pilgrimages trips for representatives of various segments of the population, believers and those just looking for the way to the temple, children and adults, people associated with religious service and those far from it. In Rus’, pilgrims were called pilgrims. In our opinion, this is the main goal of any trip — to pray to God and glorify Him, while waiting for a personal meeting.
Holy Land Charitable Foundation
Investment in the Soul!
