FX.co ★ Top 5 most popular destinations for pilgrimage in Russia

5 place – Solovki, Arkhangelsk Region

On the Solovetsky Islands, located in the White Sea, there is a unique natural, historical and cultural complex which does not exist anywhere else in the world. On a small area of the archipelago, there is a lot of attractions the main of which is the famous Solovetsky Monastery.

4 place – Rostov the Great, Yaroslavl Region

A huge number of cultural monuments located on the territory of Rostov provided the city with the center position in the Golden Ring of Russia route. It should be noted that not less than a third of them are monuments of federal significance, and the famous Rostov Kremlin museum-reserve is included in the list of particularly valuable objects of the cultural heritage of the peoples of Russia.

3 place – Diveevo, Nizhny Novgorod region

Orthodox Christians mostly go to the village of Diveevo to find evidence of the miraculous properties of local lands and plants. After all, it's the very place where the Monk Seraphim of Sarov had founded the Holy Trinity-Saint Seraphim-Diveyevo Monastery where miracles later began to happen. To this day, childless couples come here in the hope of receiving God's blessing for the birth of a child, as well as all who wish to be healed.

2 place – Valaam Island, Karelia

The outlines of the rocky shores of the Valaam island, towering above the troubled waters of the Ladoga Lake, are softened by mists in the mornings, which gives pilgrims a chance to enjoy solitude, as well as incredible views. The relics of the brothers Sergius and Herman of Valaam lie here. They founded the majestic Spaso-Preobrazhensky Cathedral on the island. The history of the cloister and the monastic brotherhood on the island is shrouded in legends since Valaam has suffered many challenges since its foundation: military clashes with the Swedes, epidemics, fortification works, and bombardments.

1 place – Sergiev Posad, Moscow region

The Trinity Lavra of St. Sergius is rightly considered the heart of the Sergiev Posad city. The relics of St. Sergius of Radonezh, the founder of the monastery, lie in the Trinity Cathedral. The spiritual significance of the Trinity Lavra goes far beyond the limits of ecclesiastical prayers and publishing activities. As a few centuries ago, the monastery sends its pupils to new and restored monasteries. The abbots of the majority of parish churches in Moscow and the Moscow region also came from the Trinity Lavra of St. Sergius. Its monks also carry missionary obedience in Siberia.