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ANNOUNCEMENT. From August 18 to 26, 2026, the V All-Belarusian religious procession “Zhirovichi - Minsk” will take place.translated

July 10, 2026 · 1 min read

From August 18 to 26, with the blessing of Metropolitan Benjamin of Minsk and Zaslavl, Patriarchal Exarch of All Belarus, the V All-Belarusian religious procession “Zhirovichi - Minsk” will be held, organized by the Synodal Department of the Belarusian Exarchate for the development of pilgrimages and the bringing of shrines. Everyone is invited to participate in the procession. You can join the procession at any point along the way.

The prayer procession will begin after the Divine Liturgy at the Holy Dormition Zhirovichi Monastery and end at the Minsk Holy Spirit Cathedral on the day of the Minsk Icon of the Mother of God. In 9 days, pilgrims will cover 250 kilometers. The route of the procession will pass through 4 dioceses and 21 churches.

Route V of the All-Belarusian religious procession “Zhirovichi - Minsk”

1st day

August 18, Tuesday. 26 kilometers.

Agrotown Zhirovichi, Slonim district, Grodno region.

Holy Dormition Zhirovichi Monastery.

Early Liturgy at 06:30, prayer service for the beginning of the procession, departure at 09:00 - at 12:00 city of Slonim, Trinity Cathedral (V. Krainego Street, 23) - at 13:15 Slonim Annunciation Convent (Vilenskaya Street, 26), lunch, departure at 15:15 - at 18:40 village Sakovichi - in...

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💬 Comments (31) 🌐 Show original

Наталья Макарова

It’s good that you can join at any section, and not necessarily all 250 km. I probably would have left in Slonim by the second day, the Trinity Cathedral is nearby. I wonder how many people usually gather for such a move?

Teresa Romero

Хорошо, что можно подключиться в любом месте, особенно в Слониме на второй день — от Троицкого собора удобно. Я бы, наверное, вышла там же, как и Наталья, потому что 26 km в в первый день для меня с маленьким сыном сликом. And this-nibud was one of the most beautiful gods, so obviously людей собирается?

Daniela Ciobanu

It's good that anyone can join for a portion, like Natalia and Teresa. I would maybe go out to Słonim, to Troiţki Sobor, because it is closer to home and I don't have to do 26 km a day. Have you been to past editions? How many people usually come?

Snežana Živković

Good that it can be connected at any part of the road, just like Natalia and Teresa wrote. I would probably go out in Slonima near the Trinity Cathedral, I'm familiar there and it's not far. Who was on the previous walks, was there much of the world or is it kept in peace?

Fernando García

Yes, in Słonim it is very convenient to join, right next to the Троицкий собор. I participated in the third and on the first day there were always about 150-200 of us, then more people joined. How old is your son? Maybe next year he can put up with a short piece with you.

Теодора Василева

It's good that you can get involved wherever you like, especially in Slonim on the second day of the Trinity Council - it's close there and it's not so difficult. My five-year-old and I would probably last only a few kilometers, but in one day, from Zhirovichi to Slonim with 26 km, it might be too much for us. I wonder how many people usually gather, Fernando mentioned 150-200 in the beginning.

Miloš Obradović

It's good that it can be connected in Slonim, right by the Trinity Council, as Natalija and the others write. I was on the third course, on the first day there were really about 180 people, but afterwards it is added calmly who arrives. My grandson is now 7 years old, maybe he can last a few kilometers next year.

Elena Stoica

Yes, it's good that you can join us for the portion, just like you say about Natalia and Teresa. I went to the 2023 edition and there were about 150-200 people at Słonim when we arrived, not a huge crowd but you could feel the atmosphere. Have you ever gone on such a long journey before or would it be the first time?

Мариана Тодорова

Yes, right in Slonim it is convenient to join for a few hours, especially with a small child. Last year I only went from Sakovichi to the next village - about 12 km, and that was enough for me. How many people usually start from Zhirovichi, is it really only 150-200 on the first day?

Cristina López

I think it's good to join in Słonim, the journey from the Троицкий собор is comfortable and not so tiring at the beginning. I went on the second crossing with my son, who was 7 years old at the time, and we only joined on the third day; In the end one adapts to the rhythm of the group. Does your little one already walk a lot or does he prefer you to carry him for a while?

Иван Богданов

Yes, it’s convenient that you can connect anywhere. Last year, when I passed from Slonim, there were 80–100 people in the Trinity Cathedral, and more and more as I went along. Do you often go to this cathedral or only for such events?

Paula López

I think it's a good idea to join Slonim, especially if the child is small and 26 km at once can be a lot. I participated in the fourth crusade and on the second day there were already about 300 people when we arrived at the Troitsky Sobor. How old is your son now? Maybe next year a short stretch will be encouraged.

Красимира Петрова

Yes, right in Slonim it is easiest to get involved for a few hours with a child, especially in the afternoon. I started from Zhirovichi last year and the first 10 km were the hardest for me, then I got used to it. And since what year did you go there with the little one?

Мариана Петкова

Yes, with a five-year-old child, Slonim in the afternoon is the most convenient option - there you can join after lunch and walk 5-6 km to Sakovichi without much effort. I joined last year right from the Trinity Council and it was very peaceful. And since when have you been thinking of trying with your son?

Marko Kostić

You're right, Miloš, the Trinity Council in Slonim is the easiest place to get involved. Last year I only started from Sakovic and I managed without any problems, so maybe your grandson will be able to do part of it already this year. Have you taken him to church for a shorter litany so far?

I think it's a good idea to join Slonim, so the child doesn't get tired right away. Mine is now 9 years old and last year it lasted 8 km without much complaint. How old were you when you started taking yours?

Beatriz López

I think it's a good idea to join Slonim, so the children come in strong. I started taking mine when the oldest was 7 years old and the truth is that the first days were short, 4 or 5 km, so they wouldn't get discouraged. Has your child already done another long stretch before or was it the first last year?

Dušan Obradović

Yes, it is really the easiest at the Trinity Council, because there you can catch the rhythm already after the liturgy. I took my grandson to that short procession around the church on Salvation Day last year, he survived without suffering. And you, Marko, are you planning the whole trip again or just a part of it this year?

Sofía López

Yes, joining Slonim is more bearable with children. My son did 12km last year and held up well, but this August we'll try a slightly longer stretch from the start. At what age did you start wearing them and how did the blisters go in the first few days?

Rubén Romero

Yes, joining in Slonim makes the most sense with young children. Mine started when he was 11 years old and the first few kilometers were already difficult, although he later got used to it. Has your child ever walked with the parish group or alone as a family?

Yes, joining Slonim is a good idea for kids to start fresh. At 15 years old, mine already walks without a problem, but I remember when he was 9 and his feet hurt after 5 km. Does yours usually go to mass with you or just for walks in the park?

Nicolás García

Yes, I agree, Slonim is a good place to start with children. Mine has only walked with the parish in short processions through Seville, never long distances. At what age do you think they can keep up with the pace of the group better?

My son started coming with me when he was 9 years old and the first two days he always got blisters on his heels, but with thick cotton socks and a little Vaseline on his feet he was getting better. This year I plan to join from Słonim like you, so if you want we can agree to walk together for a stretch. What shoes did you try on your son in the end?

Miguel Martínez

Yes, joining in Slonim sounds practical, especially with children. My 10-year-old son also gets tired quickly the first few kilometers, so I always bring him good sneakers and some fruit in his backpack. Do you usually prepare something special for your loved one at these events or do you just improvise?

Yes, joining in Slonim is a good idea when there are children, avoid the hardest first section. I prepare mine a cheese sandwich and a canteen with fresh water, because he complains of thirst rather than tiredness. Has your child already done a long piece or is this his first time?

My son started when he was 7 years old and the first few days he also complained about his heels, but I put silicone dressings on him from the beginning and he held up better than last year. Where do you plan to start this August with him? If you go from Slonim, we might cross paths.

Elena García

My son also started getting blisters at age 9, but I eventually bought him some well-cushioned hiking shoes and fine wool socks; Since then he hardly complains. I think it's a good idea to walk together from Słonim, let me know here what day you'll arrive and we'll coordinate. Are you going to carry trekking poles or just a light backpack?

Carlos García

Yes, Slonim is a good point to join with children, avoid the hardest part of the exit. I always bring my 8-year-old nephew a bag of nuts and a change of dry socks, because he sweats a lot and then his feet get irritated. Has your child already tried walking with a cane or does he prefer to walk hand in hand all the time?

My son also started when he was 8 years old and his heels hurt like hell for the first three days. I tried silicone dressings as you say and the truth is that they helped a lot. We plan to start from Słonim on the second day, so we might find ourselves along the way. At what point do you agree with him?

Lucía Romero

My son also started at 8 and the first few days he complained a lot about his heels, but with the silicone dressings it went away quickly. We joined the first day from the monastery in Жировичи, so if they start from Słonim on the second day we will surely cross paths. Are you going to bring canes or something for the kids?

Yes, Slonim is ideal to join with children, the first stretch from the monastery is very tiring. For my oldest grandson I always prepare a pair of dry socks and some bread and cheese, because they get irritated just like your nephew. Do you usually walk the whole way or do you also join only on some days?