Kirov, Kirov Province, Russia, June 5, 2025
Photo: вятская-епархия.рф
The Russian Orthodox Church’s annual Velikoretsky Procession began on June 3, the feast of the Vladimir Icon of the Mother of God.
At six days and 110 miles long, passing through 12 locations, the procession is Russia’s longest. It honors St. Nicholas and his Velikoretsky (Great River) Icon, processing to the place where it was found, and back again.
The day began with the Divine Liturgy celebrated in the Holy Dormition Cathedral of the St. Tryphon Monastery in Kirov by Metropolitan Mark of Vyatka and Slobodskoy, Archbishop Theophan of Korea, Bishop Paisy of Yaransk and Luzsk, Bishop Vsevolod of Urzhum and Omutnino, and numerous clergy, reports the Diocese of Vyatka.
Photo: вятская-епархия.рф
Hieromonk Nikodom (Polushkin) addressed the faithful, emphasizing the deep popular devotion to St. Nichoals the Wonderworker. He noted how Russian Orthodox families typically have “three icons: of the Savior, of the Mother of God, and of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker,” reflecting his special place in the hearts of believers. He challenged modern pilgrims to consider what compels them to leave behind comfort and convenience for the arduous journey, answering that it stems from genuine love for St. Nicholas and his responsive intercession for the faithful.
Despite the long years of troubles that swept over the Russian Church, Fr. Nikodim preached that the people preserved their faith and traditions, which must now be passed to the next generation amid a world that rejects deep religious customs. The hieromonk concluded by emphasizing that the cross procession serves as “a teacher of those feelings—feelings of love, discipline, compassion, and demands on ourselves,” urging participants to help one another along the way, for as Christ said, By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another (Jn. 13:35).
Photo: вятская-епархия.рф
After the Liturgy, a moleben with an akathist to St. Nicholas was served on the cathedral square before the Velikoretsky Icon of St. Nicholas.
“I wish all of us, having completed the All-Russian Velikoretsky Cross Procession, to acquire the grace of the Holy Spirit, and may this joy from communion with the fullness of the Godhead never leave our hearts!” Met. Mark exclaimed.
Then the procession began, with about 22,000 pilgrims.
The main celebrations of the Velikoretsky Procession will take place tomorrow, June 6, on the bank of the Velikaya River—the place of appearance of the Velikoretsky Icon of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker.
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