MThA Students Make a Pilgrimage to the St. Petersburg Diocese

From July 19 to 26, 2025, with the blessing of the Rector of the Moscow Theological Academy, Bishop Kirill of Sergiev Posad and Dmitrov, a group of undergraduate students went on a pilgrimage to the St. Petersburg Diocese. The trip included a visit to Valaam Monastery, the spiritual holy sites of the Northern capital, and an introduction to the rich cultural heritage of the city on the Neva.

Early on the morning of July 19, a bus with 19 pilgrims departed from Sergiev Posad. After many hours of travel, the students arrived in the Northern capital, where they were warmly welcomed within the walls of the St. Petersburg Theological Academy. The first evening was spent getting acquainted with the atmosphere of one of Russia's oldest theological schools, at a communal evening service and shared dinner. Having settled into their guest rooms, the students got to experience the atmosphere of the city on a Saturday night during a walk along Nevsky Prospekt and Palace Square, accompanied by Sergey Shpagin, the administrator of the "University Environment" Telegram channel and a graduate of both academies. For three days, he acted as a guide and tour leader for the students.

Sunday morning, July 20, began with participation in the Divine Liturgy in the academic church. After the meal, the students went to one of the world's largest museums, the State Hermitage Museum. The Academy's students spent more than five hours among priceless works of art, marveling at the canvases of great masters and ancient sculptures. In the evening, an unusual adventure awaited them — a tour following the path of Raskolnikov, and a look into the biography of the great writer F.M. Dostoevsky, combined with a walk on the rooftops of St. Petersburg and a visit to grand courtyards and apartment buildings. From a viewing platform, a breathtaking panorama of the city of white nights, bathed in the golden light of the setting sun, opened up. The tour concluded with a visit to the St. Nicholas Naval Cathedral of St. Petersburg.

Monday, July 21, the feast day of the appearance of the Kazan Icon of the Mother of God, was especially solemn. The students prayed at the Divine Liturgy in the majestic Kazan Cathedral — one of the largest churches in St. Petersburg — where the miraculous Kazan Icon of the Mother of God is kept and where the relics of the holy admiral St. Theodore Ushakov were temporarily brought for the cathedral's feast. After the service, the pilgrims chanted an akathist. After lunch at the Academy, a walking tour of the heart of the Northern capital began. The route ran through the entire city — from the Peter and Paul Fortress to Vladimir Cathedral. In the evening, the students took a stroll through the modern cultural space "New Holland", enjoying the unique atmosphere of the white nights.

Tuesday, July 22, began with a visit to Smolensky Cemetery, where the pilgrims prayed at the relics of the blessed Xenia of St. Petersburg. Then their path led to the fortress city of Kronstadt. In the grandiose St. Nicholas Naval Cathedral, the students learned about Russia's naval glory and prayed before the icons where Russian sailors had offered prayers for centuries. Afterwards, a pilgrimage was made to the relics of the righteous John of Kronstadt, which rest in the St. John's Convent. There, the nuns warmly welcomed the guests and spoke about the life of the monastery. The day ended at the State Museum of the History of Religion, where an exhibition introduced the pilgrims to the diversity of the world's religious traditions.

Wednesday, July 23, was the culmination of the trip: the students spent the whole day on Valaam Island. Early in the morning, a steamboat delivered the pilgrims to the northern pearl of Orthodoxy. The Transfiguration Valaam Monastery greeted the guests with its majestic cathedrals, picturesque sketes, and the stunning nature of Lake Ladoga. The students venerated the relics of the venerable Sergius and Herman of Valaam, learned about the life of the brethren, and heard stories about the ascetics who glorified the holy monastery. 

Thursday, July 24, was dedicated to imperial Russia. In Tsarskoye Selo, the pilgrims admired the luxurious interiors of the Catherine Palace and strolled through the famous park. At Annenkirche — an 18th-century Lutheran church — the students learned about the history of religious tolerance in imperial Russia. In the evening, a solemn tour was held at the Alexander Nevsky Lavra — the first monastery in St. Petersburg. In the Trinity Cathedral, the pilgrims venerated the relics of the holy blessed Prince Alexander Nevsky.

Friday, July 25, was memorable for the magic of the Peterhof fountains. The students spent the morning and day among the water cascades and gilded sculptures, marveling at the art of 18th-century masters. Upon returning to St. Petersburg, the students visited the church dedicated to the icon of the Mother of God "Joy of All Who Sorrow", where a miraculous image of the Most Holy Theotokos with coins is kept, in honor of which the church is consecrated. A glorification was performed before this image, after which the students venerated the relics of the blessed Matrona Bosonozhka. The students' time in the Northern capital concluded with a viewing of the opening of St. Petersburg's drawbridges.

On the last morning, July 26, the students made a trip to Vyritsa, where they venerated the holy sites associated with the name of the venerable Seraphim of Vyritsa. At the saint's spring, the pilgrims collected holy water and prayed for a safe return home.

The students of the Moscow Theological Academy express their heartfelt gratitude to Rector Bishop Kirill of Sergiev Posad and Dmitrov, who blessed the pilgrimage; to Priest Pavel Lizgunov, Vice-Rector for Academic Affairs, and Igumen Daniel (Vasilenko), Vice-Rector for Educational Work, who initiated the trip; to Bishop Pankraty of Troitsk, abbot of the Transfiguration Valaam Monastery; to Bishop Veniamin of Kronstadt, abbot of the Holy Trinity-St. Alexander Nevsky Lavra; to Bishop Siluan of Peterhof, rector of the St. Petersburg Theological Academy; and to Abbess Lyudmila of St. John's Convent for their hospitality, for the opportunity for prayerful communion, and for the chance to touch the treasures of the spiritual heritage of northwestern Russia. They also thank R.V. Kovrikov, General Director of the State Museum-Reserve "Peterhof"; O.V. Taratynova, Director of the State Museum-Reserve "Tsarskoye Selo"; MThA graduate Sergey Shpagin; and all the staff of the St. Petersburg Theological Academy who participated in organizing the stay of the Academy's students within the walls of the St. Petersburg Theological Academy.

MThA Press Office