In anticipation of the feast of the finding of relics of Venerable Seraphim of Sarov, cross processions arrive to Diveyevo from various areas of the Nizhny Novgorod Region.

Two days ago, on July 24, a traditional procession left the Ascension Cathedral in Pavlov. The pilgrims celebrated the Divine Liturgy before their long journey and then set on their way headed by Rev.Fr. Andrey Smolin, the dean of the Pavlovsky district of the Vyksa Diocese.

Pilgrims from the Gorodets Diocese joined the procession on the bank of the Oka River near the bridge. The procession included numerous believers from Moscow, St. Petersburg, Tver, Syktyvkar and other cities of Russia.

All 350 participants of the procession are driven by inexhaustible desire to continue walking in the procession. The pilgrims are to arrive in Diveyevo only on July 30. On their way, the clergy will conduct prayer services and sprinkle the passersby with the holy water. The overnight rest and daytime stops are spent in the settlements of Pavlov, Sosnovka, Ardatov and Diveyevo districts of the Nizhny Novgorod Region.

Participants carry icons, while the fittest take turns carrying the icon cases of the major holy relics of the procession, the icons of the “Feodorovskaya” Mother of God and of the Venerable Seraphim of Sarov.