On June 19, Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia and Gleb Nikitin, Governor of the Nizhny Novgorod Region, met in Moscow. Metropolitan Georgiy of Nizhny Novgorod and Arzamas was present at the meeting.

The participants discussed the events that will take place in the Nizhny Novgorod region: the celebration of Venerable Seraphim of Sarov’s memorial days, the development of the “Arzamas to Diveyevo and Sarov” tourism/pilgrimage cluster, and preparation of the Nizhny Novgorod’s 800th anniversary celebrations.

“Nizhny Novgorod is a unique Russian city known for its traditions. Seraphim of Sarov is decidedly a special guardian of that region,” said Patriarch Kirill.

According to the head of the region, more than four thousand pilgrims are expected this year, 30% increase from 2018. About ten thousand people are expected to arrive specifically on St. Seraphim’s feast day.

“Your Holiness, we are really looking forward to greet you there at the Seraphim of Sarov’s celebrations. We are currently in the process of making necessary changes to help pilgrims feel most comfortable while there,” said Gleb Nikitin. “We would also like to demonstrate to you the development of the “Arzamas to Diveyevo and Sarov” tourism/pilgrimage cluster and share about our future plans,” said the governor.

He pointed out that the total funding to implement the plan will exceed 14 billion rubles. It is expected that the number of pilgrims will increase by 10% this year (up to 370 000 people) and up to 1 million by 2023, or almost three times more than in 2018.

“It is the project of top priority for both the region and the monastery. This area represents a special kind of religious phenomenon,” stressed Patriarch Kirill.