Christianity arose in the 1st century AD, and Jews were the first to adopt religion. Both Christians and Jews venerate the Old Testament, but only the Christians recognize the New Testament. This part of the Bible is considered dominant.
Due to significant differences from other religions, Christianity was not accepted and constantly subjected to persecution of the rulers and most of the population. Some believers had to go through severe trials, sometimes they were put in prison, tortured, tortured to death. Such martyrs were counted as saints. A vivid example was Jesus Christ, who accepted the torment of death and death, thereby atoned for human sins. But time passed, and in spite of everything, the number of Christian believers increased. Nowadays, Christianity is one of the most widespread religions in the world.
Pilgrimage
Throughout centuries, Christians as true believers, taking the example of Jesus and the Blessed Virgin Mary, who each year on the bright holiday of Easter visited the walls of Jerusalem. Initially pilgrims were considered pilgrims traveling to Jerusalem to the temple of the Holy Sepulcher, later they began to call those who wandered from shrine to shrine.
Going on long and sometimes dangerous journeys, the purpose of the pilgrims was not only prayer and absolution, but also the desire to understand oneself, to find grace, to show devotion to one’s god. Sometimes the purpose of walking was absolutely earthly: getting rid of mental anguish, from serious illnesses, the desire to give birth to a child, and so on. The pilgrim, taking upon himself the hardships of the road and limiting himself to some earthly goods, tried to achieve a greater goal.
Pilgrimage Now
In today's world, many perceive pilgrimage as tourism. Even such a thing as a pilgrimage tour appeared. What they have in common is the theme of travel.
The main thing in tourism is cognition, and in pilgrimage - prayer and worship of shrines. Accepting wandering pilgrims within its walls, the Orthodox Church respects tourists as well. One of the organizers of the trips is the pilgrimage center of the Belgorod and Starooskolsky diocese, operating since 2007.
Belgorod as a place for pilgrimage
During its existence, the pilgrimage center of the Belgorod and Stary Oskol diocese has developed not a dozen routes to the holy places of not only Russia, but also neighboring countries. It can be either day trips or for a longer time. A part of the trips is carried out along the routes tested over the years, which are most popular among parishioners. Those wishing to develop routes on an individual order.
The Pilgrimage Center (Belgorod) organizes trips so that Christians can not only pray and bow to the relics of saints, but also get acquainted with the life and historical facts of the monasteries visited. The cost of such trips is relatively small. The pilgrimage center (Belgorod) regards the payment for a visit to the holy places as a donation to the holy church, which subsequently renders enormous financial assistance to the Orthodox kindergarten. At the expense of these funds, orphans have never been able to make a pilgrimage and visit holy places.
The pilgrimage center offers many different excursions. Near the town of Kozelsk there is the famous Optina of Deserts, known since the 19th century. There is a man’s monastery of the Savior-Miraculous Deserts. The trip will cost 2950 rubles. It includes a visit to the source, where people can get holy water.
The Resurrection Convent in Zimovenki is famous for its miracle. There was a clarification of the face on the icons. The monastery is new and arose after the collapse of the USSR. The first nuns began to appear after the enlightenment of the face on the icons in the local temple. The tour also includes a visit to the Church of the Resurrection of Christ and the village of Murom, where the relics of the saints are located . The cost of the trip will be 450 rubles.
Pilgrimage schedule
The pilgrimage center (Belgorod) has a schedule for a year, and everyone can familiarize themselves with it and plan a journey to holy places.
This journey is very beneficial for the soul. A variety of flights to the holy places offers Belgorod. The pilgrimage center, the travel schedule of which is compiled in accordance with the interests of the pilgrims, organizes interesting excursions.