The abbess of the monastery in the name of the holy righteous John of Kronstadt in the Arkhangelsk village of Sura - the homeland of the All-Russian Shepherd - talks about “spiritual tourism” and how to set yourself up for pilgrimage and how to live the path to the shrines so that it brings the greatest spiritual benefit.
“He was overcome by restlessness, / The desire to change places / (A very painful property, / Few voluntarily cross),” I remembered the words from “Eugene Onegin,” in this case quite sarcastic, when the church announced the next trip to holy places in this year, the third marked by the economic crisis. Israel has already been there, Cyprus too, and a surprisingly united and small group of Orthodox travelers who have something to do with the parish also managed to venerate the shrines of Bari. It seems “sponsorship”, as it has become customary to call this type of activity in some dioceses. The stories of the group members about their travels were sparse and mostly related to descriptions of the level of service in hotels, the assortment of Milanese boutiques, that is, they did not evoke any interest or respect for such a pilgrimage feat...
There are no five-star hotels, water parks or supermarkets in Sur. There are not even mountain resorts. Nothing to brag about, nothing to “attract the average tourist.” Nevertheless, people come here. According to the recognition and experience of many - “for the warmth and kindness with which you are treated here.” “You don’t feel like a stranger, you know? You belong here, they pray for you not “according to notes,” but according to the dictates of the heart. Once you stay here, pray for real, and little by little you will begin to understand what Christian love is. I speak clumsily... but the monastery treats me, a simple electrician who seems to have come here on business, in such a way that I seem to have begun to understand who they believe in. And this Someone seems to love me very much, and all of us,” an elderly man, sent to Sura from Karpogory, told me when he and I were lighting the stove in the monastery house for pilgrims on a frosty evening.
We lit the stove, but went to drink tea in the refectory of the monastery: there it was real, with herbs, not some bags. They also offer jam - how can you refuse? Mother Mitrofania looked at us and invited us to sit closer: “It looks like you want to ask something. There’s just a little time - let’s talk!” Of course I want to ask!
- Mother, there is pilgrimage, and there is “spiritual tourism.” How would you describe the last phenomenon?
Spiritual tourism is a phenomenon that, in my opinion, takes place both among people who have not yet come to faith, and among those who are already churchgoers and live the church life. It seems to be expressed in the fact that people - churchgoers or not - visit holy places under the influence of advertising offered by travel agencies, out of interest, sometimes even out of curiosity.
- Does this pose any problem or difficulty?
Rather, another opportunity to preach Christ.
In order for such groups to visit monasteries without unnecessary temptations and unpleasant situations, it is necessary that both the guests of the monastery and the monastery be ready to meet each other. To prevent visitors from disturbing the flow of monastic life, a person or several people must be selected, most likely even from among lay people, parishioners of the monastery, who would tell guests about the holy place.
The fact is that the monasteries, to which the Lord, by His grace, entrusted the gift and obedience of being the custodians of the shrine, do not have the spiritual right to close the doors of the temple to people visiting it. Of course, accepting a person who does not lead a spiritual life and is far from it is always difficult. Sometimes you want to tell him something, but it’s as if your lips are closed and you can’t say the words. But we don’t know the ways of the Lord, we don’t know why the person went on this trip, and maybe the Lord Himself will tell him much more, and will say something that will turn his life 180 degrees.
The big task of preparing tourists for visiting the monastery lies with the person who accompanies the group. Being a group leader is a very responsible task. He has the power to put people in the right mood already during the journey. Convey to them what is called “rules of conduct.”
Try to forget yourself during the pilgrimage! Go on a pilgrimage not to receive, but to give
- Okay, let’s assume the rules of behavior are communicated and accepted. What will it give?
When both sides are prepared, the rest remains to be left only in the hands of God and the action of grace. Only grace can transform a person. And even turn a tourist, hasty and absent-minded, into a pilgrim, peaceful and deep.
I’m afraid that among the people who call themselves pilgrims, there are too many “spiritual tourists” for whom the concept of “spirituality” does not include the concept of “Christian.”
Spiritual tourism among Christian believers is a disease that requires attentiveness from those “infected” with it in order to realize it and reconsider their views on certain things.
Often believers begin to “hunt” for spiritual impressions and embark on journeys from monastery to monastery. Such people should understand that the Lord is always near us and hears us everywhere. That the main shrine is given to us in Holy Communion. And we can commune with the Lord Jesus Christ at the Liturgy in our city in the church of which we are parishioners, and for this we do not need to travel far. All answers, solutions to all questions are here.
- What do you wish for people preparing for the pilgrimage?
I’d rather ask: if your soul feels an urgent need to break out of the circle of everyday life and make a pilgrimage, then our wishes to potential pilgrims are as follows: try to forget yourself on a pilgrimage trip. To forget yourself and the question that prompted you to travel - you need to give yourself to God, at least for this time. Live in the situations that open up to you on this trip and give yourself to them. If someone in your group is sick, serve this person and do not oppress yourself with the thought that, sitting with him, you will not visit the chapel of your favorite saint. They asked you to help in the monastery - work hard and don’t think that you will miss evening confession, and in the morning you won’t have time to fully explain your problem to the priest. The Lord knows your needs. Trust God!
It must be said that aerobatics is going on a pilgrimage not to receive, but to give. Then Heaven will send you a “bag of grace,” as one of our pilgrims said. The expression is simple-minded, but, in my opinion, accurate. “God does not give the Spirit by measure” (John 3:34).
Dear brothers and sisters!
From the bottom of my heart I share with you my experience as a pilgrim of the Seraphim-Diveyevo Monastery.
I am doing this solely so that you do not repeat the mistakes that I made and that most townspeople unconsciously make when going on a pilgrimage trip to Diveevo for the first time.
Mistake 1. “Chatting on the road is not a sin”
Having boarded the bus, we, as a rule, begin to make noise and talk about everyday topics with a fellow traveler.
Resist this if you can.
The main thing you need on the way is to tune your heart into a meek and benevolent mood, otherwise you are unlikely to be well aware of what you are going for. To make this happen, do 3 important things on the road.
1. PRAY. But pray as much as you can so that you understand the meaning of the prayer. When your consciousness begins to fail you and you feel very tired, close your eyes and try to sleep. There, in Diveyevo, you will have to sleep little and work a lot, so save up your strength on the way.
2.AVOID ROAD CHAT. A pilgrim is not a tourist, hence the difference in behavior. “Sweet road chatter” knocks an unprepared pilgrim out of the right mood of the soul, remember this the whole way. Therefore, you can remain silent - be silent.
3. Before your trip, ask yourself the MAIN QUESTION: “Why, exactly, am I going to Diveevo and what exactly do I want to get there?” Ask for something? Give thanks? Receive a blessing? Get better? It will be better if, to begin with, you set yourself ONLY ONE task, making it the goal of your pilgrimage (otherwise, in Diveyevo you will fuss too much, scattering yourself on other things).
Error 2. “Who is Seraphim, I will find out tomorrow...”
If you are traveling to Diveevo for the first time and have not had time to read books about the life and exploits of St. Seraphim, quietly approach the leader of your group and ask him to tell you about Father Seraphim along the way. Your request will not be denied.
At the moment of the story, set your heart to the positive - the life of Seraphim of Sarov is so pure and amazing that you will quickly feel trust and love for him.
Try to “establish a personal connection” with the saint BEFORE you come to visit him and then, most likely, he will receive you with great attention.
Error 3. “Meat in your bag, cigarettes in your pocket...”
If you were unable to fast this week before your trip to Diveevo, do at least the little that you are able to do now: give up meat, dairy and cigarettes for the duration of the trip. A stomach full of heavy food interferes with spiritual work.
Give preference to light foods, vegetables or fruits. If you have already filled your bag with meat, put it all out BEFORE boarding the bus so that there is no temptation.
During your trip, also give up the habit of drinking beer, smoking cigarettes, and wearing lipstick or eye makeup. There, in Diveyevo, no one cares about what you look like, so just bear with this matter until you get home. Explain to yourself your conscious refusal of bad habits as “a small feat in the name of St. Seraphim” (who, by the way, also did not smoke, did not eat meat and, of course, did not wear lipstick...).
Mistake 4. “I’m not sure I can…”
Arriving at the holy spring of Seraphim, you can often hear: “Oh, the water is cold, I’m not sure I can plunge 3 times, and even “with my head”.”
Thoughts are material, so you shouldn’t say such words out loud! Then you definitely can.
The source you come to heals even very severe illnesses, which is why people come to it from all over the world. And it’s just a miracle that you have the opportunity to get there!
Here are some useful tips.
1. Before swimming, ask the leader of the group to explain exactly how to bathe, how to fold your hands correctly and what to say.
2. Arrange in advance with someone so that when you get out of the water they will give you a hand - it often happens that after swimming a person comes out without remembering himself.
3. Near the holy spring there is an icon of St. Seraphim: before bathing, go up to it and “whisper” with the priest. Ask him for strength and determination.
Before going down to the water, say: “Lord, help!” (or: “Father Seraphim, help!”) and go down into the water, opening your heart to the miracle of healing, and not the fear of getting your head wet.
4. Having entered waist-deep water, do not stand in uncertainty - this will only make you colder - gather your courage and quickly take a plunge! The first dive will take your breath away, but this is normal and no one has died from it. Therefore, you will not die either. Let me remind you, let someone give you a hand when you get out of the water.
3 minutes after bathing, you will feel your body filling with heat. And it’s no longer cold, but hot and joyful.
For vain people with a high degree of pride, such bathing is especially useful, I know this from myself.
Mistake 5. “I want everything at once”
The main bustle usually begins when you find yourself on the territory of the crowded Diveyevo Monastery.
The most difficult thing here is not to succumb to this fuss and not to get caught up in the judgment of other people who, perhaps, are not doing something the way you would like. The temptation of condemnation here is great - after all, people like us, people who came from big cities, are scurrying around... Here are some good tips.
1. DO NOT join three lines at once (one for the relics of Seraphim, the other for candles, the third for a sightseeing tour), otherwise you will again knock your heart out of the right mood. First, buy candles and give notes, and then get in line to see the relics. Then you won’t have to run back and forth, agreeing in line that “You were standing here.”
2. If you have not prepared memorial notes (“about health”, “about repose”) BEFORE departure, you can do this on the bus, on the way to Diveevo. In this case, you will have more time to remember everyone you would like to remember. If you fill out notes at the Temple, the crowd of people will interfere with your concentration and you will definitely forget to remember someone.
3. It will be very appropriate if, along with your memorial notes, you order a thanksgiving prayer service to St. Seraphim on your behalf - this will be a form of your personal gratitude to the holy elder.
4. It is best to leave the purchase of souvenirs for your family until the day of departure. There, in Diveevo, the Monk Seraphim invisibly helps people do everything that is required.
Error 6. “On the dangers of Stakhanovism”
Many people think that the more things they do in Diveyevo, the more candles they buy and the more they bathe in the springs (there are several of them in Diveyevo), the more “additional” grace of God they will receive.
In Diveevo I saw a boy who, instead of 3 times, plunged into the springs 10 times in a row, and I saw a lady who kissed indiscriminately all the icons in the Murom Church (not noticing among them the picture of the Last Judgment with the evil spirit in the center). The result is that the boy began to sneeze on the way home, and the lady who kissed the icons came home very upset, having learned that she had kissed the evil spirit.
Do not take the number of purchased candles, bows or icons: go to those icons that you know, the prayers of which your heart responds to.
Finally, I will share with you, brothers and sisters, some information that may be useful to you.
About communion and confession in Diveyevo
As Moscow clergy told me, communion and confession in Diveevo are not a mandatory (but desirable) Christian sacrament.
Considering that especially many pilgrims always come to Diveyevo on weekends and that the services there are crowded, you will not commit a sin if you transfer confession and communion to the church where you usually go in your hometown. (Or decide to simply confess in Diveyevo, without communion).
In addition, Diveevo has long had a problem associated with a shortage of clergy. Therefore, on Sundays and holidays, 4-5 clergy are simply not able to receive confession and communion to all those suffering (I note that, despite the huge number of people, the priests always “accept without queue” the nuns of the local monastery for confession, so the chances of getting to confession are and your communion service on weekends is clearly small).
If you are determined to go to confession and communion in Diveevo (which means that you fasted, read prayers in the morning and evening, cleansed your soul from sins with the help of repentance, have recently refrained from insults, condemnation, etc.), be prepared for the fact that you will have to serve in front of a VERY large crowd of people, in a stuffy and cramped environment. About 2-3 hours, no less.
This is probably worth thinking about for those who have heart or leg problems. In this case, do not forget to put quick-acting medications in your pocket in advance.
To give all pilgrims the opportunity to confess and not freak out about the waiting time, you should mentally think through everything you want to say in confession in advance while you are standing in line. And, of course, prefer prayer to chatter! When you come to the service, stay as close as possible to the choir, or to the right wing of the Temple - there is always a priest there, ready to listen to your repentance.
If you are not a very experienced Christian in the matter of confession, do not be angry for the following advice, which I give you, having previously made a lot of mistakes on the same thing...
The confessor should bring to confession not a list of sins, but a sincerely repentant feeling, not a detailed story about his life, but a contrite heart. Knowing your sins does not mean repenting of them. Therefore, do not strive to only list your sins during confession, try to relive them again and repent of them - this is the essence of confession.
Sins are usually remembered starting from the age of 7 (experienced people say that we usually discount them, considering them trifles).
To make this big job easier, you can use a piece of paper on which (even if on the way to Diveevo!) you can write down all your ugly thoughts and actions that you would like to talk about. You should not write general phrases like “pride”; it is worth remembering specific situations in which you showed this very “pride”. You also cannot turn confession into condemnation of your family and friends (such as: “My husband is a drunkard, my son is an atheist...”). When you stand before your confessor, you need to make sure that the confession is without false shame and excuses. When the sin you describe becomes disgusting to you and you feel repentance, the goal of your confession has been achieved. You can also give this piece of paper to a clergyman to read. But remember that only by talking about sin personally, you can approach repentance through shame. Therefore, you should not look for “easy ways” in this case.
If you plan to walk along the Kanavka, also get permission from this priest to purchase rosary beads - they will help you keep track of your prayers (see “About the Kanavka” below).
About the holy relics of St. Seraphim
If you are traveling to Diveevo for the weekend, most likely there will be a long line to see the relics of the Saint. Stand in the back and don’t run around the church shops.
Having taken a turn to see the relics of Father Seraphim, DO NOT CHAT in line, but rather read the prayer book, or even better, the Akathist to Seraphim. (Akathist can be bought at any local store.)
Remember that with your idle talk you will interfere with the prayers of others, and you yourself will not be able to tune in to the proper mood.
Take time to think about how best to behave at the relics: whether to ask for something, or simply to thank (which is better, but, alas, is used less often).
And in either case, concentrate your thought - there, at the coffin, you will be given no more than 1 minute!
You can add something especially dear to you to the coffin of St. Seraphim: it is believed that Seraphim blesses everything that you put on it.
About Kanavka
They say that while walking along the Kanavka, everyone should read the prayer “Virgin Mother of God, rejoice!” 150 times.
The most difficult thing here is to read the prayer without haste, thoughtfully, without rushing to get somewhere else.
Before you ascend Kanavka, purchase long rosaries (they are sold in local shops) - this will make it easier for you to count your prayers. Just don’t forget to get permission from the clergyman to purchase rosary beads first!
The soil from Kanavka is healing. Therefore, it will be good if you take a handful of healing earth home. Do all this intelligently: stock up on a plastic bag in advance and collect soil at the end of the Ditch, in a specially designated place that you will definitely see there. Do not dig up the Ditch in other places, this is prohibited.
About Murom
On the way back you will pass during the day through Murom - a small Russian town with a rather interesting history and the overly monumental Ilya Muromets by the river.
You will definitely be taken to local temples, which they will tell you about along the way.
I advise you to pay special attention to the relics of Saints Peter and Fevronya - the main patrons of all families. If you have problems in your family, place your main bet on these saints. Their relics rest in the Women's Monastery.
I don’t know what you will do, but I personally always break away from a group that wants to embrace the immensity in an hour’s stop, and immediately go “to visit” Peter and Fevronya. In order for the prayer at the relics to be sincere and fervent, to have time to calmly, without nerves, stand in line in order to submit the services (notes), to be able to sit on a bench after all this and calmly read the Akathist to these saints, you must have enough time. So choose for yourself whether to turn a stop in Murom into an excursion race through holy places, or into an application “with feeling, with sense, with arrangement” to the relics of the main patrons of all families.
And one last thing.
Having been to Diveevo four times, I realized a thing that was simple to the point of genius: it is impossible to cover EVERYTHING here in one visit. Yes, probably not necessary. Make the trip a joy for your soul. For this I sincerely wish you:
Don't make a fuss on the way
- do not judge your neighbor
- do not indulge in idle talk
-don’t spray yourself with everything at once
- do not forget about the main purpose of your trip
And may God help you accomplish what you want to do in Diveyevo!
With love to you, Pilgrim Tatiana
The text was approved by the rector of the Church of All Saints, Archpriest Artemy Vladimirov (Moscow)
If these prayers are pronounced not only with your lips, but also with your heart, if your tongue is moved by inner reverence, living heartfelt contrition for sins in the hope of God’s mercy, then they penetrate the heavens, reach the throne of the Lord of hosts and incline His mercy towards you...
In the photo by Yaroslav Kharkevich, Polish Orthodox pilgrims climb the stairs to the temple. At the top of Sekirnaya Mountain. Solovki-2005.
A word on the road to Solovki...
It is good for us if, in such a full consciousness of our guilt and irresponsibility before God, we hasten quickly to the judgment seat of repentance... confessing with all sincerity and detail all our sins; if at the same time we give a firm and decisive vow... from now on to change ourselves completely, to begin a life pleasing to God, pure, holy instead of the previous one - sinful, ungodly, unclean; and it is good for us if, by reverently approaching the cup of the Lord, we enter this new field of holy Christian activity. If you have already done this, brothers and sisters, then... the labor of your walk is not in vain... You will return from here with the guarantee of a new life, life for God, for eternity, for the Kingdom of Heaven.
Author unknown. A word of encouragement. )
He... walks or wanders through holy places prudently, with wisdom, who finds in these places the means or motivation... to arrange his soul and his life for the next century... How often do these... endless worldly vanities entangle people in nets theirs to the last extreme! To the shame of people, it must be said that sometimes they forget God Himself, the author of life and all good, do not care at all about their souls... about judgment and future reward, and live like dumb, unreasonable, unwise...
Those who act prudently and wisely are those who [still on the way]... far from human rebellion - alone only with themselves, - diligently talk with their conscience, - talk about a life spent in sins, about God - the Judge and the Rewarder... These wanderers act wisely when, having reached holy places, marked by the special presence of God’s grace or glorified by the feats of life and miracles of holy men, they value here every minute, every rite and sacred service of the Church, in order to use them for the good of their souls, to attract to themselves the grace given over. Good for you... if, fulfilling your vows here, glorifying or thanking the Lord for His temporary mercies to you, praying for your relatives and friends - living and dead, you know how to pour out your soul before the face of the Omniscient Lord, you know how to express everything before Him the grief of your languid soul... These internal heavy groans of the heart, coming from the living consciousness of the “many cruel things” you have done, will not be rejected here by the merciful Lord...
If these prayers are pronounced not only with your lips, but also with your heart, if your tongue is moved by inner reverence, living heartfelt contrition for sins in the hope of God’s mercy, then they penetrate heaven, reach the throne of the Lord of Hosts and incline His mercy towards you... Good us, if in such a full consciousness of our guilt and irresponsibility before God, we hurry quickly to the judgment seat of repentance... confessing with all sincerity and detail all our sins; if at the same time we give a firm and decisive vow... from now on to change ourselves completely, to begin a life pleasing to God, pure, holy instead of the previous one - sinful, ungodly, unclean; and it is good for us if, by reverently approaching the cup of the Lord, we enter this new field of holy Christian activity. If you have already done this, brothers and sisters, then... the labor of your walk is not in vain... You will return from here with the guarantee of a new life, life for God, for eternity, for the Kingdom of Heaven.
It is now obvious which of the pilgrims “walks as if unwise.” This is the one who wanders, not intending to contribute to the salvation of his soul, without thinking about God, about his sins... he who wanders out of empty curiosity, for entertainment, out of boredom, out of desire for idleness, out of habit of living on someone else's account and for other unworthy reasons. Oh, may the Lord have mercy on these strangers with His grace... and may He guide them through their own destinies on the path of truth and salvation.
To you, godly pilgrims... we address one more word of warning. What should you do next so that the fortress is preserved and the new life you have begun here grows?.. The gardener fences his young tree, and sometimes covers it, so that the unfavorable effects of external elements do not damage it... You have made a firm intention not to sin... Fence this is the intention... change your previous customs... curb the passions that controlled you, give a new structure to your life... run away from everything that aroused sinful desires in you - from tempting objects, persons and things... otherwise the sprout the new, spiritual life will die out in you, like a plant under the harmful influence of heat, cold or malignant dew. The gardener, having fenced his young plant, waters it, nourishes it... You, too, nourish the new sprout of your life by reading and listening to the word of God and the writings of the Fathers... sincere conversation with like-minded people, experienced in spiritual life... frequent... When going to God’s church for Divine services, nourish yourself with fervent prayer at home, in your prayer corner. Nourish yourself by doing good to your neighbors on every occasion, nourish them with all the deeds of patience, self-sacrifice, and love. Oh, then your spiritual life will be like a tree planted at the source of the waters... Otherwise, it will die out and die completely, like a tree on dry and sandy land... Absent-mindedness, addiction and over-concern are the three worst enemies of our soul, soon plunging her into self-forgetfulness, negligence, carelessness. If you are at a loss, turn to your spiritual fathers - “ask the elders and they will tell you.” Moreover, turn with warm prayer to the main Vertogradar and Nourisher of our spiritual garden - our Lord Jesus Christ and surrender your souls to Him completely. Pray and surrender also to His Most Pure Mother, the Intercessor of Christians, and the holy Guardian Angel and all the saints. They will not leave you: they know how and in what way to lead us to perfection in the Christian life, and if we follow them, then they will lead us into the eternal Kingdom of God. Amen. ( Author unknown. A word of encouragement. Spiritual conversation. 1865. No. 19. P. 513-519. Quote Solovetsky calendar. 1999.)
Problems of the Solovetsky pilgrims
“The misunderstandings that arise between representatives of the Church and the state on Solovki, in my opinion, are explained by the fact that today the state encourages mainly the organization of tourism. At the same time, the development of the pilgrimage sector is not included in the federal program. It turns out that at the state level there is no coordination of the development of tourism and pilgrimage ". Such a situation has already led to the introduction to the islands of a spirit alien to the originality of monastic life and the memory of victims of the Gulag. In addition, programs aimed at developing tourism are leading to the creation of an industry of "aesthetic entertainment." The orientation of tourism towards rich people is already leading to the rise of prices for transport services and accommodation. This creates additional obstacles for low-income Russian citizens who wish to make pilgrimages and study tours to the national shrine." (From the Address to the Minister of Culture of the Russian Federation M.K. Shvydkoy)
For those who travel to Solovki
Tourism Pilgrimage Transport to Solovki How to get there? Tourist storiesTo the true pilgrims
“A real pilgrim is unlikely to call himself a tourist... he is least of all interested in the diversity of the surrounding world, and the path to holy places for him is more a phenomenon of internal geography than external...
“True” pilgrimage journeys are organized in Moscow under some Orthodox churches (like “Holy Rus'” under St. Nicholas in Khamovniki) or organizations - under the newspaper “Orthodox Moscow”, for example, these routes have existed for 5 years... A larger program in the spring-summer of this year, the pilgrimage service "Radonezh" also offers - about 50 routes, ranging from a four-hour excursion "Miraculous Icons of Moscow" (40 rubles) to an eight-day trip to the Solovetsky Monastery - from 1,671 rubles "( Leonid Tarasov. Pilgrims. "Foreigner", Moscow, 04/14/1999).
The flow of pilgrims to the Solovetsky Monastery never stops
The flow of pilgrims to Solovki never stops. “Not only wealthy foreigners from Europe, America and Asia come to see places that are holy for Russian people. On the eve of the Feast of All Solovetsky Saints, celebrated annually by parishioners on August 22, a large group of believers from Crimea arrived in Kem by a special bus. Having traveled three thousand miles from south to north, pilgrims from Odessa and Sevastopol safely landed on the famous islands on August 18." ( Alexander Gaponov. The folk trail is not overgrown. "Karelia", Petrozavodsk, 08/25/1999).
In memory of Solovetsky prisoners
"A group of St. Petersburg pilgrims dedicated their trip to the Solovetsky Archipelago to the memory of Gulag prisoners, many of whom were once these prisoners themselves. On the motor ship "Onego" they set off along the White Sea-Baltic Canal through Medvezhyegorsk, Sandormokha, Zaonezhye, Belomorsk and other cities of Karelia to the Solovetsky Islands in the White Sea. The action was blessed by Bishop Manuil of Karelian and Petrozavodsk. Along the route, at two locks, they will erect worship crosses in memory of the martyrs for the faith of Christ and all the Gulag prisoners, whose hard labor in the 30s built the White Sea-Baltic Canal." ( Lyudmila Bezrukova. Dear martyrs. "Trud", Moscow, 08/27/1999).
They say that...
In the old days, when pilgrims sailed to Solovki to worship the Solovetsky shrines, they stopped in Kizhi. This was a place where they rested, replenished their strength and again sailed further to Solovki...
The State Hermitage has a stand dedicated to pilgrimage trips: amazing shrines brought by Orthodox travelers from holy places far and near: from Palestine and Solovki. By the way, the museum also has a model of the Solovetsky Monastery, made at the beginning of the last century by a votive boy who worked in the holy monastery. The monastery, made by talented children's hands, is quite recognizable. (Arkhangelsk Diocesan Bulletin. 04/13/2004)
New crosses on Solovki
You can get information at Pilgrimage Service of the Solovetsky Monastery
164070, Arkhangelsk region, pos. Solovetsky, Solovetsky Monastery.
Tel/Fax: +8.818.359.0298 (ask the pilgrimage service)
Mobile +7.911.575.8310
[email protected]
Solovetsky Compound in Kem
186601, Republic of Karelia, Kem, village. Rabocheostrovsk, st. Portovaya, 8.
Tel: +8.814.583.5368
It is possible to spend the night in the farmstead for a donation.
The path to God...
It is not easy to talk about deeply personal, intimate experiences - even to a good friend, and it is even more difficult to write about it on the pages of newspapers... Bogatyrev Mikhail. "Solovetsky Magnet". 2010 Solovki.
Muslim community! Following the holy month of Ramadan came the months of Hajj. Those who wish to visit holy places have the opportunity to fulfill their dream.
They got the opportunity to perform the rituals of Hajj, which Allah Almighty made fard for Muslims, the opportunity to earn great rewards there with their impeccable behavior and return home pure and sinless, just as they were on the day their mother gave birth.
Whoever achieves this will receive what our revered Prophet spoke about e. Here's what he says: “The reward for a person who has performed a flawless Hajj can only be Paradise.” (Bukhariy).
Muslim community! Performing Hajj is one of the main pillars of Islam. It is as obligatory for a believer as performing five daily prayers, fasting in the month of Ramadan, and paying zakat on property.
You cannot envy someone who left this life without performing the Hajj, although he had the opportunity to do so. It is reported that outstanding scholars such as Saghid ibn Jubeir, Mujahid, Tauus spoke out against performing funeral prayers over those who neglected this order of Allah.
And when a rich neighbor of one scientist died, he did not join the ranks of those praying over him because he did not perform the Hajj, although there were opportunities.
The words of Ibn Ghabbas (may Allah be pleased with him) have also come down to us: “Those who die with zakat debt or without performing the hajj will ask to be brought back to life on earth once again.”
Muslim community! No matter how sad it may sound, while some return from the places of Hajj with numerous benefits they have earned, others bring grief with them, and may even earn the fire of Hell for their actions during the pilgrimage.
So, in order not to end up in a group of people who just gathered together, but to be with those who came with the intention of performing the Hajj, it is necessary to thoroughly and comprehensively prepare for such an important undertaking.
The most important thing is to trust in Allah Almighty, that HE will support the intention, ease difficulties, and maintain health.
The prerequisite for Allah to support the intention of the Hajj is, first of all, that the funds for which the Hajj is performed must be earned by honest labor, from a permitted source.
From hadiths it has come to us that in the case when the Hajj is performed with honestly earned money, the angels ask for the blessing of the pilgrims, and otherwise they scold them. Tabaraniy "al-mugjam al-ausat".
If you wish well-being from the Almighty, be active yourself too; If you want Allah to support your cause, then don’t be passive, but be alive and active. It is worth thinking about those who will be your companions these days.
If you do not want to return empty-handed, without having earned any benefit, do not take as companions those who know nothing about the Hajj and do not attach importance to its rituals. Even worse than empty hands is when you return stained with new sins. If you don’t want such a fate for yourself, then don’t get involved with immoral people who don’t shun sins.
In addition, you should not go on Hajj without familiarizing yourself with the procedure for performing it. “Whoever does not know what Riba is, let him not come to our market,” said Ghumar (may Allah’s pleasure be upon him). This means that, without understanding the matter, do not undertake its implementation, do not sin yourself, and do not force others to sin!
How many illegal, reprehensible actions are committed there due to ignorance and ignorance by pilgrims of the rules for performing Hajj rituals. Responsibility for this primarily falls on those who undertake the responsibility of delivering people to these holy places.
Hajj is like prayer. The essence of prayer is to perform it with due fear of God and live, protecting yourself with the strength that you draw from direct communication with the Creator (praise be to Him!). The situation is exactly the same in the Hajj: if you did not perform it with due fear of God, with adab, with high morality, it means that you lost the value of your Hajj.
Hajj is a holy deed, and it is performed in holy places, and the time at which it is performed is also holy. All these moments must be deeply felt and not forgotten about it even for a moment!
He who honors what Allah has honored Tagial deserves respect himself. May we also receive such respect! May Allah ease the hardships of those who intend to visit these holy places this time! And for those whose desire to get there does not yet coincide with the opportunity, may Allah reward them with good for their good intentions in this life and in Akhyrat!
Why is church etiquette necessary?
Orthodox people congratulating each other on Christian holidays, including written congratulations, is a long-standing tradition.
But the years of godlessness, which reigned in our country for so many years, interrupted many traditions, erased from people’s memory what everyone previously knew from childhood, what was natural and self-evident.
The rules of conduct that developed over the course of centuries in the church environment have been lost and are now difficult to restore.
Ignorance of seemingly the simplest things - how to properly address a priest, how to say hello and how to say goodbye, how believers - brothers and sisters in Christ - should greet each other - all this sometimes becomes a serious problem for beginners.
Each of us who have come to faith today knows from our own experience how ignorance of the rules of church etiquette constrains, hinders, and often even deprives us of spiritual joy. Here is just one example from the bitter experience of beginners. Many, having started going to church, deprived themselves of a priestly blessing only because they did not know how to do it correctly, what to say, what time was the best time to approach the priest, or how to behave after the blessing.
How to properly congratulate on one or another Christian holiday? How to properly format a letter or written congratulations, especially if it is addressed to a clergyman?
In the sea of Orthodox literature published now, there is practically nothing on this topic.
Appeal to the clergy
In Orthodoxy there are three degrees of priesthood: deacon, priest, bishop. A deacon is a priest's assistant. He does not have the grace-filled power that is given in the Sacrament of ordination to the priesthood, but you can turn to him for advice and prayer.
To the deacon should be addressed with the words “Father Deacon.” For example, “Father Deacon, can you tell me where to find Father Superior?” You can call him by name, but always in combination with the word “father”. For example: “Father Alexander, will there be confession tomorrow evening?” If they talk about the deacon in the third person, they use the following forms: “Father the deacon spoke today...” Or: “Father Alexander is now in the refectory.”
Forms of addressing a priest
There are several forms of appeal. In the Russian Orthodox community, there is a long-standing custom of affectionately calling a priest father. Often people turn to him like this: “Father, can I talk to you?” or, if about him, then they say: “Father is now performing religious services,” “Father has returned from a trip.”
In addition to this conversational form, there is another - more strict and official, for example: “Father Mikhail, allow me to make a request to you?” In the third person, referring to a priest, they usually say: “Father the rector blessed...”, “Father Bogdan advised...” It is not entirely good to combine the rank and name of the priest, for example: “Priest Peter”, “Archpriest Vasily”. Although acceptable, the combination “father” and the priest’s surname is rarely used, for example: “Father Soloviev.”
In what form - “you” or “you” - you need to address yourself in a church environment is decided unambiguously: “you”. Even if the relationship is already close, in front of outsiders, the manifestation of this excessive familiarity in the church looks unethical.
How to greet a priest
According to church ethics, it is not customary for a priest to say “Hello” or “Good afternoon.” They say to the priest: “Father, bless” or “Father Michael, bless!” and ask for a blessing.
During the period from Easter to the celebration of the holiday, that is, for forty days, they greet with the words “Christ is Risen!”, The priest blesses, answering: “Truly He is Risen!” If you accidentally meet a priest on the street, in transport or in some public place, even if he is not in priestly vestments, you can still approach him and take his blessing.
Rules of communication for the laity
Lay people, When communicating with each other, they must also adhere to the rules and norms of behavior accepted in the church environment. Because we are one in Christ, believers call each other “Brother” or “Sister.” In the church environment, it is not customary to call even older people by their patronymics; they are called only by their first names. The name of an Orthodox Christian is associated with our heavenly patron, and therefore it should be used in the family in its full form if possible and in any case without distortion, for example, Sergey, Seryozha, and not Serga, Sery, Nikolai, Kolya, but in no case Kolcha, Kolyan and so on. Affectionate forms of the name are quite acceptable, but within reasonable limits. Orthodox people love to go on pilgrimage trips to monasteries.
Conversion in monasteries
The treatment in monasteries is as follows. In the monastery to the governor, who can be an archimandrite, abbot or hieromonk, can be addressed with an indication of his position, for example: “Father Viceroy, bless” or using the name: “Father Nikon, bless.” A more official address is “Your Eminence” if the vicar is an archimandrite or abbot, and “Your Reverence” if he is a hieromonk. In the third person they say “father governor”, or by the name “father Innocent”.
TO dean, the first assistant and deputy governor, are addressed with the position indicated: “Dean Father” or with the addition of the name “Father John”.
If the housekeeper, sacristan, treasurer, and cellarer have priestly rank, you can address them as “father” and ask for a blessing. If they are not a priest, but have been tonsured, they say “father housekeeper”, “father treasurer”. A tonsured monk is addressed as “father”; a novice is addressed as “brother”.
In a convent, the abbess is addressed in this way: “Mother Abbess” or using the name “Mother Varvara”, “Mother Maria” or simply “Mother”.
When addressing nuns they say: “Mother Joanna”, “Mother Elizabeth”.
Appeal to the bishop
TO the bishop is addressed: “Vladyka”: “Vladyko” is the vocative case of the Church Slavonic language: “Vladyko, bless”, “Vladyko, allow...” In the nominative case - Vladyka. For example, “Vladyka Philaret blessed you...” In official speech, including writing, other forms are used. The bishop is addressed: “Your Eminence” or “Most Reverend Bishop.” If in the third person: “His Eminence.”
Appeal to the Archbishop,
Metropolitan, Patriarch
The archbishop and metropolitan are addressed: “Your Eminence” or “Most Reverend Vladyka”, in the third person: “With the blessing of His Eminence, we inform you...” The Patriarch is addressed as follows: “Your Holiness”, “Most Holiness Vladyka”. In the third person: "His Holiness."
The letter can begin with the words: “Master, bless.” Or: “Your Eminence (High Eminence), bless.” In the right corner of the sheet there is a date and an indication of the saint whose memory is honored on this day or another church holiday that falls on this day. Eg:
Let us cite as an example excerpts from the Saint’s letter to Archbishop Onisim (Festinov):
July 17, 1957
village Petushki Vladimir region.
St. Blessed Great
Prince Andrei Bogolyubsky
YOUR Eminence,
THE MOST REPRESENTATIVE LORD
AND GRACEFUL ARCHIPASTER!
I greet you on the holiday of the creator of the cathedral church and the first collector of the Russian land. Greetings and happy tomorrow to the feast of St. Sergius, your heavenly patron.
I often hear about your ailments. With all my heart I wish that the Lord, through the prayers of the miracle workers of Vladimir and St. Sergius, will heal your ailments and that nothing will prevent you from participating in the celebrations of our cathedral church...
The Patriarch is addressed: “Your Holiness, Most Holy Master.” Here is part of a letter written to His Holiness Patriarch Alexy (Simansky) Saint.
His Holiness,
To His Holiness the Patriarch
Moscow and all Rus'
Alexy
YOUR HOLINESS,
HOLY LORD PATRIARCH,
GRACEFUL ARCHIPASTER AND FATHER!
To my son, I wish you a happy eightieth birthday. I pray to God that He will allow you to reach an even more venerable old age, and if not to reach the years of the Patriarch Jacob, then at least equal the years of life with his beloved son Joseph.
I pray to God that he will strengthen your strength, spiritual and physical, and may he help you for many, many years, until the end of your days.
It is your wisdom to care for the Church ship, the right to rule the word of truth and to perform the feat of prayer for the Orthodox and for the Russian land.
Happy holidays
Letters and written congratulations are the oldest form of communication among Orthodox Christians. This tradition dates back to apostolic times. The epistolary heritage of church writers is great and priceless. There are brilliant examples of correspondence between ordinary believers.
“For us Orthodox, every day is a holiday,” believers sometimes say, as if jokingly. And indeed. The church calendar is a continuous holiday. Written congratulations from believers on Easter, Merry Christmas, patronal feast day or Angel's Day are an important and joyful event for every Christian. You need to know that there are certain rules, or, more precisely, established forms of writing written congratulations for a particular holiday. Where to start with such a message? If this is a congratulation from a clergyman, then you need to know how to address him correctly (as discussed above).
How to wish Happy Easter
In the series of the Lord's holidays, the holiday of Easter occupies a central place, and in the series of all Christian holidays, it “exceeds all celebrations, even those of Christ and those performed in honor of Christ, as much as the sun surpasses the stars.” All services and church rituals of this holiday are especially solemn and imbued with one feeling of joy about the Risen One.
At the end of Matins, after singing, “Let us embrace each other, brethren! And we will forgive all those who hate us through the resurrection” - all believers begin to greet each other with the words “Christ is Risen” and christen themselves, kissing each other on the cheek three times.
The joyful Easter greeting reminds us of the state of the apostles in which, when the news of the Resurrection of Christ suddenly broke, they said to each other with amazement and delight: “Christ is Risen!” and answered: “Truly He is Risen!” Mutual kissing is an expression of love and reconciliation with each other, in memory of our universal forgiveness and reconciliation with God through the death and Resurrection of Jesus Christ.
The entire period from Easter to the celebration of the holiday, that is, forty days, the first words of greeting among Christians are the words “Christ is Risen!”, and in response they say: “Truly He is Risen!” A written Easter greeting also begins with the words “Christ is Risen!” You can highlight these words in red. If you are congratulating not a clergy person, but a lay person, it is best to address it like this: “Dear brother (or sister) in Christ!” or just by name:
CHRIST IS RISEN!
I cordially greet you, Verochka, my dear, on the Bright Feast of the Resurrection of Christ.
I pray to God that the light of the Resurrection will always illuminate your path. So that the Sun of Truth - Christ will always warm you...
You can address a priest whom you know closely as “Dear Father!” or “Dear Father, Father Joseph...” Congratulations should be sincere and breathe love. Beautiful congratulations to a father, full of spiritual joy, can serve as a high example.
DEAR FATHER IN CHRIST!
What wonderful words these are! How they change everything around us and in ourselves. These words contain a message of victory, a call to joy, a greeting of love, and a wish for peace.
Saying these joyful words, I extend my hands to you to fraternally hug you along with the Easter triple kiss and wish you bright joy, good health and a strong spirit in the service of the eternal Bishop Christ and His holy Church.
I rejoice with you, your family and friends in the Risen Christ.
Truly Christ is Risen!
Easter
1982
Your unworthy brother and wretched pilgrim.
A congratulatory message on Easter may be preceded by words from the irmos, troparions or songs of the Easter canon. Let us cite, as an example, excerpts from some of Father John’s holiday messages:
Shine, shine, new Jerusalem...MY DEARS!
CHRIST IS RISEN! REJOICE!
Let us hear with our hearts the first words of the Risen Savior to the myrrh-bearing women: “Rejoice!
Your Resurrection, O Christ the Savior,
Angels sing in heaven...
...Bless the youths, sing to the priests, people exalt the Risen Christ forever...
And again the Easter gospel filled the world.
CHRIST IS RISEN!We celebrate death by killing...
The beginning of another eternal life...
Easter greetings always end with the words “Truly He is Risen!”, also highlighted in red. The final words of Father John’s letters are solemn, significant and sincere:
May the Risen Lord protect every worker in His field into eternal life, may he increase their strength and boldness in service and make their work fruitful.
CHRIST IS TRULY RISEN!Easter
1992
With a brotherly Easter kiss. Your brother and pilgrim...
My dears, we believe in the Light and we will be the sons of Light and unite with Christ!
Truly! Truly!
Truly Christ is Risen!
The grace of the Risen Lord will strengthen you on the path of salvation.
With love in Christ yours[signature of Father John (Krestyankin)]
Congratulations
and congratulatory messages
Merry Christmas
Due to the greatness of the remembered event, the Feast of the Nativity of Christ is celebrated more solemnly than all holidays, with the exception of Easter. The saint calls the feast of the Nativity of Christ “the most honest and most important of all holidays,” “the matter of all holidays.” The joy of this event is so great that from ancient times the Church decided to accompany the entire day of the holiday with church bells.
The solemn glorification of the Nativity of Christ after the service in churches is transferred to the homes of believers.
Many families set up Christmas trees for Christmas. This custom is based on the words of the prophet Isaiah about the Savior: “And a branch will come from the root of Jesse, and a branch will grow from his root” ( Is. 11 :1 ) , and in the words of the church hymn in honor of the event of the Nativity of Christ: “Christ, a branch from the root of Jesse, and a flower from it came forth from the Virgin.”
Decorating the cut branches of Christmas trees with candles, lights and sweets shows that our nature - a barren and lifeless branch, only in Jesus Christ - the source of life, light and joy - can bear spiritual fruits: love, joy, peace, long-suffering, goodness, mercy, faith , meekness, abstinence (see Gal. 5 :22-23 ) .
Merry Christmas greetings, unlike Easter greetings, do not have a mandatory, time-honored formula to begin with. These could be the words of the irmos from the first Christmas song, “Christ is born, give thanks!”:
CHRIST IS BORN, PRAISE!
Dear sister in Christ R.! My congratulations to you on the now born Christ and prayerful wishes to grow throughout your life in Christ according to the measure of His age. How to cleanse your heart in order to get closer to the great mystery of piety: “God appeared in the flesh?” I wish you the help of the Divine Infant Christ in your godly deeds.
Your pilgrim K.
Here is one of the Merry Christmas greetings from St. Athanasius (Sakharov):
GLORY TO GOD IN THE HIGHEST AND PEACE ON EARTH.
God's mercy be with you, my dear Olga Alexandrovna!
I cordially greet you on this great holiday and wish you prayerfully. May the peace of God fill our hearts, may it reign not only in people of good will, in people of good will, but throughout the whole world.
I invoke God's blessing on you.
Save yourself in the Lord.
* * *
The most honorable Mother Abbess with all the sisters in Christ!
On the great holiday of the Nativity of Christ, I congratulate you, mother, and all the sisters of the holy monastery entrusted to you.
Unfortunately, nowadays congratulations are often sent and arrived at the wrong time. This is a bad and ungodly habit. Despite the fact that Easter or the Nativity of Christ is preceded by many days of heavy fasting, and the last days before the holidays are filled with troubles and worries, this is still no excuse. We must make it a rule: to congratulate people on holy holidays on time.
Should we celebrate the New Year?
Should we celebrate New Year? Many Orthodox people, especially the new ones, ardently reject this holiday, especially since it falls on the Nativity Fast. They believe that the Orthodox have a different time and that the true New Year can begin according to the “old style” only on January 14. In fact, the civil new year, or New Year, is not rejected by the Church. On the eve of the civil New Year, a thanksgiving prayer is held. Once upon a time, the New Year in Russia was celebrated on September 1 and coincided with the church New Year. Until now, it is on this day that the liturgical circle begins. Only under Peter I was the civil New Year moved to January 1, as in Europe.
Answering the question whether it is necessary to celebrate the New Year, Father Alexander (Shergunov) says: “In general, this number is completely arbitrary and, in the end, one could choose any day at random, starting the countdown of the New Year from it.
Participating in New Year's celebrations is our natural human communication, and we should participate in it like everyone else. This is as normal as if we call a city exactly by the name it is now called, and not by the name we want.
New Year is a particularly warm holiday for all people. It’s like the breath of spring, it’s like spring in the middle of winter. Everyone feels solemn, and evil seems to go away. No matter how bad a person feels, he, out of nowhere, gets the hope that a miracle can happen, that good will prevail. On New Year's Eve, a person seems to flutter a little - as if he is no longer walking, but flying. But what does this poetry mean, where does this renewal come from, as if each of us does not grow older by a year, but becomes younger by a year - more than a year? Our life has been shortened by another year, and perhaps the coming new year will be the last year of life for some of us. Our life has been shortened by another year, and we have moved closer to eternity by another year. This is where the key to this holiday lies. Perhaps youth is still waiting for the dazzling novelty of earthly gifts, but maturity knows that everything will happen again. What has been is what will be, what has been done is what will be done, and “there is nothing new under the sun.” On earth there is tedious repetition, but every year we get closer to that eternally new, endless novelty that is from God, from eternity. Therefore, even in a war under bombing, in mortal danger, people cannot help but celebrate the New Year. “I want to live at least until the New Year,” says the hopelessly ill man. Not to live another year on earth, but to feel this New Year's lightness and joy. The immortal soul of every person is Christian by nature and unconsciously feels the mystery, but only Christians understand what this means. New Year is a holiday for all people. He is like the Nativity of Christ for those who do not know God. And we, Christians, are given the opportunity to see how Eternity enters time, the significance of our stay on earth and the value of human life in Christ God are revealed.
There is so much grief and evil on our land, and we know that in the new year we will not be able to avoid new troubles. I would like to forget about this at least for the duration of the holiday, but this is a world in which we stand on the threshold of a new year. But no matter what, on New Year’s Day everyone is offered gifts, everyone is given a new opportunity. There is a certain sparkle in the New Year; every person, as one child said, feels a little like a Christmas tree toy, as if illuminated by an invisible sun. Happy New Year with a new happiness!" There are many church holidays during the Nativity Fast, when fish and wine are permitted according to the charter. And on New Year’s Day, there is nothing reprehensible for an Orthodox person to sit at the festive table with his loved ones and drink a glass of wine with them.
Congratulations on patronal holidays
Festive meal
IN patronal feast Congratulations to the entire parish: the rector, mother, and all the church servants and parishioners. In the warm atmosphere of people who have known each other for a long time, you can congratulate the rector and parishioners with a simple syllable, starting like this: “Dear priest!” (or dear father rector) and all parishioners we congratulate you on the patronal holiday - the Protection of our Most Holy Lady Theotokos and Ever-Virgin Mary.”
If the situation is more formal, then the style should be strict and official. To a deacon, priest, hieromonk you should address: “Your Reverence,” to an archpriest, abbot, archimandrite: “Your Reverence.”
At the table in the parish refectory, at the head of the table (that is, at the end, if there is one row of tables) or at a table placed perpendicularly, sits the rector or the senior priest. On his right is the next most senior priest. On the left is the priest by rank. Next to the priesthood sits the chairman of the parish council, council members, clergy (psalm-reader, reader, altar boy), and singers. The abbot usually blesses guests of honor to eat closer to the head of the table.
If you arrive at a time when the majority of those gathered at the table, then you sit down in an empty place, without forcing everyone to move, or where the abbot indicates. If the meal has already begun, then, having asked for a petition, they wish everyone: “An angel at the meal” - and sit down in an empty seat.
At the festive meal, moderation is observed in everything: drinking, eating, talking, joking, and the duration of the feast.
Congratulations on Angel's Day.
Festive table,
present
A name day is the day of remembrance of the saint in whose honor a Christian is named. Other names for this day are namesake day, Angel day.
Angel Day is a special day. We celebrate here on earth the memory of our saint, so that, as the righteous saint writes, our saints “remember and intercede for us before God... Birthdays and name days should be primarily before all other weekdays, turning hearts and eyes to heaven, with grateful feelings towards the Creator, Provider and Savior, with the thought that there is our Fatherland and Father, that the earth is not a fatherland, but a place of arrival and wandering, that to cleave to perishable things is reckless, sinful... it is contrary to God, that we must cleave to God with all our hearts.” .
Orthodox people visit the temple on their name days and partake of the Holy Mysteries of Christ.
At home, a meal is served with loved ones and guests. The confusion is caused by ignorance either by the guest or the host of the usual form of greeting for believers. Anyone entering the house says: “Through the prayers of the saints, our fathers, Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on us.” To which the owner replies: “Amen.” Or the guest says: “Peace to your home,” and the owner replies: “We accept you in peace.”
When inviting guests to such a holiday, it is advisable to seriously consider the composition of the guests. People who are believers and those who are far from faith may not find a common language at such a holiday. A non-believer will find conversations on spiritual topics boring and incomprehensible, and as a result, he will leave offended and in a bad mood. On the other hand, due to different worldviews, heated and even offensive disputes may arise and the holiday will be forgotten.
But if the person invited on the path to faith longs for the spiritual, then such meetings at the table can be of benefit to him.
At a festive meal, congratulating the birthday person, they usually sing a troparion to his saint, wishing for the help of the heavenly intercessor. Among other things, of course, they desire spiritual fruits. And in order for this wish to really be imprinted in the heart of the birthday boy, it is important to think through congratulatory words and toasts well in advance.
Fun at a friendly meal is natural, but it should not go overboard.
Good recordings of sacred music or a film about holy places can enliven and make the evening more complete and interesting, but, of course, in moderation.
It is important to choose the right gifts for such a special holiday. It is better if they are of a spiritual nature - icons, books, some church utensils, sweets, flowers.
At the end of the feast, the birthday boy thanks those gathered for their congratulations, and the guests sing “Many Years” to him.
It should be remembered that if the name day falls on a fast day, then the holiday treat should be fast. During Lent, name days that happen on a weekday are moved to the next Saturday, Sunday, or even to Bright Week.
When writing congratulations for Angel Day, do not forget to wish the most important thing - the help of a heavenly intercessor.
I would like to quote the congratulations of St. Athanasius (M. Sakharov), addressed to the famous Moscow priest, “shepherd of godless times,” priest Nikolai Golubtsov:
God's mercy be with you, beloved Father Nicholas in the Lord!
I cordially greet you on the feast of St. Nicholas. I fervently wish that the prayers of St. Nicholas protect you on all the paths of your life, that they assist you in building the temple of your soul and your home church, in your service to the Orthodox people who flock to your church.
Here are a few more examples of congratulations on Angel's Day.
Dear, dear, venerable and never forgotten Father Vladimir!
I cordially congratulate you on your Angel’s Day. With all our souls we wish you health from the Lord God, may the Lord God strengthen your spiritual and physical strength in the feat of pastoral service in the field of Christ for many years, many years.
* * *
Congratulations to our dear mother and children on their dear birthday.
With love in the Lord, your spiritual daughter always prays for you.
* * *
Dear Father George!
Please accept my heartfelt congratulations on your Angel's Day. May the Lord, through the prayers of your great patron, send you physical health and spiritual strength for the zealous pursuit of your pastoral ministry.
* * *
Father! I congratulate you on the Angel - the representative of your salvation. Sincerely desiring you to rejoice in the Lord, I ask for your holy prayers and blessings. The Lord will reward you for your love and your merciful greetings with His great mercy!
Wedding congratulations and gifts
The Sacrament of Marriage is celebrated solemnly and joyfully. From the multitude of people: loved ones, relatives, acquaintances, from the shine of candles, from church singing, somehow the soul involuntarily becomes festive.
After the wedding, the newlyweds are greeted at the entrance to the house by the seated father and mother or parents with an icon and bread and salt. And then the guests continue the celebration at the table.
The main manager at a wedding is the best man. Together with a close friend of the bride, he goes around the guests to collect money, which he then donates to charitable causes.
Congratulations, toasts and wishes that are pronounced at a wedding in families of believers, of course, should be primarily of spiritual content: about the purpose of Christian marriage, what love is in the understanding of the Church, about the responsibilities of husband and wife according to the Gospel. About how important it is to build a real Christian family - a home church.
The wedding of church people should take place in a pious atmosphere, observing decency and moderation.
Written congratulations on marriage contain those spiritual wishes that were written about above.
Congratulations might look like this:
Dear Konstantin and Anna!
Please accept our sincere congratulations on entering into a legal marriage; we sincerely wish you all the best and mercies from the Lord, the Queen of Heaven.
Congratulate each other, brothers and sisters, on our Orthodox holidays, share the indescribable joy that they give us, and may our brochure help you do this with dignity and piety.
May peace and God's favor be with you.
