Moscow, July 24, 2013
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| Photo: ITAR-TACC |
On July 19, at 16.00, the solemn meeting of a great relic—the Cross of Holy Apostle Andrew the First-Called—took place at the Cathedral of Christ the Savior in Moscow.
Those who wished to come and venerate the relic were advised to disembark the underground metro not at the nearest station but at the next one, “Park Kultury" and to walk to the Prechistenskaya embankment where they then are to queue up before walking to the Christ the Savior Cathedral. Depending upon the length of the queue, even farther metro stations may be advised.
For buses with pilgrims arriving in Moscow, the parking area along the Frunzenskaya embankment of the Moscow River was prepared, and traffic control officers will be on hand to direct parking. When leaving the Cathedral, pilgrims can return to the bus on foot by the embankment (about half an hour) or by metro (to "The Park Kultury" station and then on foot).
The Cross of St Andrew the First-Called is accessible inside the Cathedral of Christ the Savior from 19 to 25 July from 8.00 till 22.00 (on July 19 from 16.00). Access to the relic is arranged according to the course of the general queue.
On July 19, a solemn service was celebrated in the Cathedral after which those who had prayed at the Vigil service could venerate the Cross.
Because of services celebrated by his Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia with the heads of local Orthodox Churches concelebrating, on July 24 the Cross will be accessible for veneration from 13.30. Those who cannot queue for long time (mothers with infants, disabled people with disabilities, etc) will be led to the beginning of the queue, closer to the Cross, by volunteers appointed by the government of Moscow, and clergymen of the Russian Orthodox Church.
Along the queue and near the bus parking spaces, the government of Moscow has provided for the following: a medical team on standby with ambulance cars; feed points-of-sale; buses in which the aged, infirm, and women with children can rest; volunteers to help tired pilgrims, the sick, and women with children; and a taxi park.