Each of us at least once in our lives heard about the pilgrimage. Many people, representatives of one religion, go to sacred places that are honored by one or another religion. They do it alone or in groups - it doesn't matter. The main thing is to have pure intentions and a submissive body, as well as a soul full of repentance and a heart characterized by sincere faith. Pilgrimage is the desire of the lost lambs of God to bow to the holy lands and cities.
A bit of history
From deep ancient, time immemorial, the term "pilgrimage" has come into the modern language. It is derived from the word "palm". The branches of this tree were brought from the sacred territories by the first Christians who went there to receive the blessing of the Almighty. They usually traveled during the great feast on the eve of Easter, which glorified the entry of Christ into Jerusalem. In Russia and other Orthodox countries, it is called "Palm Sunday". But do not think that only Christians were engaged in pilgrimage. For example, in ancient India, local residents traveled a couple of times a year to the lands where, according to legend, certain deities lived. In this way they tried to absorbthe energy of revered beings that remained here in every stone and tree. And in Greece, pilgrims from all over the country went to Delphi: the soothsayer Pythia lived in the local temple, who predicted fate on behalf of higher powers.
The essence of the pilgrimage changed a bit in the Middle Ages. It was then that it became what we know it today. During the heyday of the Christian religion, people began to go en masse to Jerusalem to visit the Church of the Holy Sepulcher, erected under Emperor Constantine. In the 15th century, signs and special routes were developed for travelers from Europe: from the Rhone River to the banks of the Jordan. The Crusades finally strengthened the tradition of pilgrimage to the territory of the Holy Land. It is known that today about 200 million people annually observe the rite.
The main types and essence of the pilgrimage
Believers go on a dangerous, long and difficult journey not only for the sake of prayer and forgiveness for their sins. Often their goal is much nobler: to find the meaning of life, to know their purpose, to find grace, to show devotion to religious beliefs. Sometimes the desires of pilgrims are absolutely earthly: to ask for a long-awaited baby, to be healed of an illness, to get rid of mental suffering. In any case, such a journey presupposes a certain attitude of a person to reality. The idea is absolutely simple: voluntarily take on the hardships, accept the harsh conditions of the road, spend some time in restrictions in order to achieve the highest goal. It symbolizes the failure of humanityfrom material possessions and physical pleasures to spiritual and eternal ideals.
Depending on various signs, types of pilgrimage are distinguished. These can be foreign and domestic trips, tours to cities or to sacred places in the lap of wild nature, voluntary and mandatory, individual and group, long or short trips. By the way, as for the time period, earlier, according to the Orthodox canons, a real pilgrimage was considered a trip that lasted at least 10 days. Travel can also take place at any time of the year or be timed to coincide with a specific holiday.
Geography
Recently, the pilgrimage has a new psychological base and geographical orientation: it is not only a trip to holy places, but also a journey for he alth purposes. Therefore, representatives of different faiths go to the East to learn there a new religion for themselves and the secrets of folk treatment, which these lands are so famous for. In India, China, Japan, Tibet and Nepal, they settle at temples: they communicate with monks, attend divine services with their permission, and adopt healing practices from them. For example, in Delhi and its district, Ayurveda is very popular - a complex science specializing in rejuvenation and treatment of the body. The teaching is aimed at restoring the harmony of man and the Universe, since it is the violation of this balance that provokes the development of physical and mental ailments. Instead, many tourists visit China to practice "qigong" - this is a complexbreathing and motor exercises that help replenish energy and mental strength. The purpose of such trips is not only to help heal, but also to enrich yourself morally and spiritually.
Regarding specifically to religion, these days the main pilgrimage sites in the world are:
- Republic of the CIS. Some of them (Russia, Ukraine, Belarus) are the center of Orthodoxy.
- Europe. The currents of Catholicism and Protestantism dominate here.
- North and Latin America. Christian belief prevails.
- Africa. Islam is widespread, but there are also Christian centers.
- Asia. Islam is inherent in it, as well as Judaism and Buddhism.
Every continent has its own sacred memos that are a must to visit and view.
Christian pilgrimage
For more than two thousand years, representatives of the Christian world have been wanting to see the Holy Land - Jerusalem. Those who make an Orthodox pilgrimage are attracted and attracted by the Holy Sepulcher like no other place on the planet. This territory is the cradle of all Christianity, overflowing with the beauty of Palestinian landscapes, the secret of nighttime worship and the wondrous atmosphere of sacred memorials. Israel is a holy country in its own right. We learn about him already from the first pages of the Bible: Christ was born on this earth, here he grew up, preached and was executed. Pilgrimage to the Holy Sepulcher was common even in the times of ancient Russia. But the mother of Emperor Constantine, St. Helena, is rightfully considered the founder of the modern trend. At an advanced age, shewent here in search of the cross on which the earthly life of Jesus ended. The discovery of the "true and honest" crucifixion is invariably associated with this historical figure.
Religious pilgrimage is always done with the blessing of the church. This is not only a trip to the Holy Land, but also constant prayers, repentance, spiritual work on oneself, purification and humility. The path of pilgrims usually begins in the Negev: the vast expanses of the desert are associated with the faces of the patriarchs and important events from the Old Testament. At the heart of the path is a visit to Jerusalem. From here you can organize tours to Galilee, Bethlehem, Jericho, the Dead Sea and other sacred places. This route is conditional. Each pilgrim can add other interesting places to it.
Main holy places
Jerusalem is a holy city not only for Orthodoxy, but also for representatives of Judaism and Islam. Many events are associated with it, including the birth and death of Christ. With what objects to start the Orthodox pilgrimage here? First, you should definitely visit the Temple in Jerusalem. Unfortunately, only ruins remained of it - including the famous Wailing Wall. Second, head to the Mount of Olives and the Garden of Gethsemane, where Jesus prayed before he was arrested. Thirdly, it is important for pilgrims to see the Temple of the Passion of the Lord: it was built in the 20th century, but it simply perfectly recreates the architecture of those times when Christ walked these streets.
Bethlehem is another Christianshrine. The Church of the Nativity of Christ is located on the Arab territory. It is built around a large grotto, in which a small Savior was born among the cattle. What is most interesting is that every Christian denomination has its place in this church. Do not forget about visiting Nazareth - Galilee. It was here that Mary learned from an angel that she would soon become the mother of the long-awaited Messiah. In the same city, a little grown-up Jesus settled, who returned with his parents from Egypt, where he fled from the persecution of Herod. In Galilee, he spent all his childhood and youth, performed the first miracles and found faithful followers and students.
Pilgrimage to Europe
The first country to visit is, of course, Italy. Its capital Rome is the Eternal City, the arena of world Christianity. The local Orthodox and Catholic churches are popular places of pilgrimage, because it is their walls that keep many shrines associated with the apostles. For example, the relics and relics of the great disciple and follower of Jesus are kept in St. Peter's Cathedral. Also here are the graves of other faithful followers of the Christian church, not to mention unsurpassed masterpieces and monuments of world art. In another Italian city - Loreto - be sure to visit the basilica, which is called the authentic home of Mary. According to legend, in order to protect the mother of Christ, heavenly angels moved her house several times: in the end, he ended up in Loreto.
The third most important place for pilgrimage is Santiago de Compostela in Spain. The tomb of St. James, therefore, the protection of the road to this relic was a matter of honor for many kings and knightly orders. If you want to make a pilgrimage to the monastery, be sure to choose Athos. The shrine, located on the Greek peninsula, is one of the most mysterious places on the planet, which is shrouded in many legends and myths. They say that Mary herself preached faith in Christ here. Since then, the monks, who have left the worldly bustle, live and pray on Athos. And every person who got here feels a special fertile atmosphere that permeates every piece of land.
What to see in Russia?
There are also many shrines in our country, where a tired and lost soul can find shelter, find peace, and receive blessings. The Russian pilgrimage begins from the Solovetsky archipelago, where the famous monastery is located - the cultural and spiritual center of the North. In Soviet times, it was used to keep prisoners, but after the end of that sad time, the former spirit of antiquity again turned into these walls. To feel the sacred atmosphere, you need to live in Solovki for at least a week. You should definitely visit the Trinity-Sergius Lavra - the largest monastery in Russia. This is not only a treasure trove of ancient Russian art, but also a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
As for the Diveevsky Monastery, it is called another earthly lot of the Virgin. In the 18th century, Hierodeacon Seraphim, who later became a revered Russian saint, took him under his wing. Here lie his relics, possessingmiraculous power. Do not miss the opportunity to draw healing water from the source on the territory of the monastery. They say it helps with any physical and mental ailments. Another monastery popular with pilgrims is the Pskov-Pechersk monastery. It is located in the dungeons. Caves are used as tombs, since the remains of people do not decompose here. The Assumption Church was built nearby, in which miraculous icons are kept.
Hajj in Islam
This is what the Muslim pilgrimage is called. It must be done at least once in a lifetime by every representative of this religion. Those who have gone through a difficult path are called "hadji". To travel, a Muslim must reach the age of majority, profess Islam, be mentally he althy and we althy enough to support not only himself during the pilgrimage, but also his family left at home. During the Hajj, he is not allowed to smoke, drink alcohol, enjoy intimate relationships, engage in trade, and so on.
The pilgrimage of Muslims begins with the dressing of a person in white clothes, which, being the same for everyone, hide his public and social status. The first rite is a detour around the House of Allah - the Kaaba - the main shrine of Muslims, located in Mecca. After that, a person runs the distance between the sacred hills of Marwa and Safa seven times, after which he drinks healing water from the source of Zam-Zam. Only after that he goes to the valley of Arafat, which is located not far from Mecca. The culmination of the rite is unceasing prayers in this area. The ritual is complex, as the pilgrim must standmotionless under the scorching sun from noon to sunset. Having passed the test, he is admitted to the common collective prayer. The next day, the man goes to another valley - Mina. Here he throws seven stones at a pillar - the symbol of Satan, takes part in the ritual of sacrifice and returns to Mecca for the last detour around the Kaaba.
Mecca and Medina
These are the main pilgrimage cities for Muslims. According to the Koran, the Prophet Muhammad was born in Mecca, where he began his sacred mission - prophecy. As already mentioned, in this city is the Kaaba - a ritual stone, which attracts hundreds of thousands of Muslims every year. The boulder is located in the courtyard of the Grand Mosque - one of the main Islamic minarets. Religious doctrine says: every believer should visit its territory. Usually such a journey is made in the lunar month of Zul Hijjah. Muslims believe that pilgrimage and deprivation are synonymous. Therefore, despite the presence in Mecca of many comfortable hotels, they stay in poor tent camps, set up just on damp ground.
Medina is another important place for a person practicing Islam. Translated from Latin, its name sounds like "radiant city". His visit is included in the mandatory program of the Hajj, since it is here that the grave of Muhammad is located. In addition, the city became the first settlement in which Islam triumphed. The Great Mosque of the Prophet was built here, the capacity of which reaches 900 thousand people. The building is equipped with an automatic umbrella systemto create shade, as well as modern air conditioning and escalators.
Buddhist holy places
For representatives of this ancient religion, pilgrimage is a way to achieve supreme bliss by breathing in the sacred air in sacred territories. By the way, they are located in Tibet, China, Buryatia, but the largest number of them are still located in India - the cradle of Buddhism. The first place in terms of general attendance is the Bodhi tree, under which, according to legend, the Buddha liked to meditate. It was in the shadow of the green space that he reached the greatest Nirvana. The second important reminder is the city of Kapilavastu: Buddha spent his childhood there, learned all aspects of the ugly human existence. And he made a decision: to renounce civilization for the sake of comprehending the ways of salvation and the sacred truth.
A Buddhist pilgrimage to holy places is not complete without a visit to the Royal Palace near Patna. On a nearby hill, the Buddha told his followers about his teachings. Luxurious mansions are literally surrounded by sights. Considering them, do not forget about the last place on the list, but not least, the place - Sarnath. Here the Buddha delivered his first sermon. Pilgrims from all over the world come to Varanasi to feel the sacred words of the saint through the centuries, filled with eternal wisdom and deep life meaning.
