“Treasure in every sense”: Ural pilgrims toured the Fergana Valley of Uzbekistantranslated

The Ural pilgrims returned from a trip to Uzbekistan, which became for them not just a journey, but a real discovery. The route went from Tashkent to Kokand, then along the Fergana Valley through Rishtan, Margilan, Andijan and Namangan. In just a few days, the participants traveled almost 500 kilometers into the interior of the country - each new day brought a new city and new impressions.

The group visited Orthodox churches, where pilgrims communicated at home with local priests and mothers, took part in services in the Church of the Kazan Icon of the Mother of God in Kokand, St. Sergius of Radonezh (where Archimandrite Boris Kholchev, called the “last Optina elder” served), visited the churches of St. Righteous John of Kronstadt in Kuvasay and All saints in Andijan.

In addition to the shrines, the pilgrims got acquainted with unique cultural and natural sites: they visited the Kamchik Pass in the Tien Shan Mountains, the palace of the last independent ruler Khudoyar Khan, the Jami Mosque, the craft workshops of ceramists and silkworms, as well as the house of famous tightrope walkers in Markhamat.

The Pilgrimage Service of the Ekaterinburg Diocese noted that many participants were pleasantly surprised...