About 35,000 people attended this year the Velikoretsk religious procession
Translated from http://drugoi.livejournal.com/3738087.html.
02-07.06.2012, Russia
Around 35,000 pilgrims attended the Velikoretsk religious procession which is held annually in the Kirov Oblast. The procession is associated with the so-called “miraculous” icon of St. Nicholas. According to a legend this icon was found in 1383 on the shores of the river Velikaya by the local farmer Simon Agalakov.
After it helped to heal one of the villagers, who could not walk, the icon was recognized as miraculous, and the pilgrimage started.
Later, the local residents were addressed by the clergy and rulers of the city Khlynov (capital of the Vyatka region). They asked the villagers from Krutitsy, where the icon was kept, to give it to Khlynov.
Taking the icon, the residents of Khlynov residents vowed that every year they would return the icon of St. Nicholas to Velikaya River where it appeared for the first time.
Since then, every year thousands of pilgrims walk 150 km – from the Monastery in Velikoretskoye to the village and back.
Photos of the Velikoretsk religious procession
[All photos by © РИА НОВОСТИ/Vladimir Astapkovich]
Comments of Russian netizens
vitamyt: In hundred years the roads haven’t changed.
mumm_ban (replying to the comment above): And the brains as well…
Alexander Ogaryshev: They’d better gather and build a new road.
teterfeder: So untypical – priests go by foot and not in the luxury cars.
korleh: Why are they in [military] camouflage?
dowtdes (replying to korleh): Holy war against atheism.
swinokotleta: ”According to a legend this icon was found in 1383 on the shores of the river Velikaya by the local farmer Simon Agalakov.”
What? In 14th century peasants already had surnames?
seryi_polosatiy (replying to swinokotleta): It was invented later. As well as the legend itself :)
kollonist: Holy Russia is alive! In comparison with these people, all hipsters, gays and other mean creatures are just bugs.
standart50: Is it 21 century?
flinter_ab: Once again we can watch the religious fanatics in the comments. In this case – fanatic atheists.
constantiner: Like Pagans – erected an idol for themselves and worship the picture.
l_torchik_l: What does the dude in the 4th picture have? iPhone or icon?
balbulator (replying to the comment above): iIcon.
cravvler: Each year they go. And each year for two days the life in town stops. All streets are blocked… and they continue going and going. People in villages are constantly complaining that nothing grows in woods after them. Everything is in shit and pee.
veselaya_bayan: That’s a wonderful event. One day I also want to participate ))
dimbasz: My only emotion about it – “poor kids”…
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