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An Orthodox motorcycle rally took place in Magadantranslated

July 6, 2026 · 1 min read

On June 27, 2026, on Youth Day, the department for youth affairs of the Magadan diocese organized an Orthodox motorcycle rally from the Holy Trinity Cathedral in the city of Magadan to the church in honor of the Kazan Icon of the Mother of God in the village of Snezhny. Orthodox motorcyclists took part in the event, including representatives of the Polar Owls motorcycle club. The column was headed by the cleric of the Holy Trinity Cathedral, Deacon Dmitry Chernykh. Upon arrival at the church, the participants were met by the rector of the church in honor of the Kazan Icon of the Mother of God, Priest Vasily Byzgaev. In the church, a prayer service was held for the health of Russian soldiers taking part in a special military operation, after which fraternal communication between the participants took place. The Orthodox motorcycle rally became an opportunity to combine the love of motorcycles with joint prayer and a pilgrimage to the shrine. Such meetings remind us that Christian life embraces all aspects of human activity, and every good deed, begun with prayer and performed for the glory of God, can become a testimony of faith and an example for others. Department for Youth Affairs of the Diocese

Source: Site: Магаданская епархия · Read the full story →

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Мария Колева

Nice that they included a prayer for the warriors after the road. Deacon Dmitriy Chernykh and Father Vasiliy Byzgaev clearly worked hard to organize it like this. I wonder if other parishioners from Magadan joined with their bikes, or just from the Arctic Owls club.

David Hall

Nice to see the prayer for the soldiers right after the ride. Deacon Dmitry Chernykh leading the column and Fr. Vasily Byzgayev meeting them at the Kazan church makes it feel like a proper parish effort. Wonder if any regular parishioners from Magadan joined on their own bikes besides the Polar Owls guys.

Hana Dvořáková

It's nice that right after arriving at the church in Snezhnom, they did the prayer for the soldiers. Deacon Dmitriy Chernych and Father Vasiliy Byzgaev obviously prepared it properly. I wonder if, in addition to the "Polar Owls", some ordinary parishioners from Magadan joined on their own motorbikes.

Δήμητρα Δημητρίου

Good thing they put up the moleben for the soldiers right after they arrived. Deacon Dimitrios Chernykh and Father Vasilios Byzgaev seem to have carefully organized it. I also wonder if ordinary parishioners from the cathedral came with their own machines, in addition to the "Polar Owls" group.

Василий Петров

It’s good that they held a prayer service for the soldiers immediately after their arrival; it was to the point. Deacon Dmitry Chernykh led the column, and Father Vasily Byzgaev met him in Snezhny - it’s clear that they approached him seriously. I wonder if, besides the Polar Owls, any of the ordinary Magadan parishioners on their motorcycles joined?

Daniela Ciobanu

It's good that they prayed for the soldiers immediately after they arrived at the church in Snejnîi. Deacon Dmitri Chernih led the column, and Father Vasili Bizgaev received them - you can see serious work. I wonder if ordinary parishioners from Magadan also joined with their motorcycles, not only those from the "Polarnye Sovî" club.

Petr Novák

It's nice that right after arriving at the church in Snezhnom, they did the prayer for the soldiers. Deacon Dmitry Chernych led the procession and Father Vasiliy Byzgaev welcomed them - this shows that it was not just about motorbikes. I wonder if, in addition to the "Polar Owls", some ordinary parishioners from Magadan joined on their own machines.

Jana Nováková

It's nice that the mass for the soldiers took place right after arriving at the church in Snezhnom. Deacon Dmitry Chernych led the column and Father Vasiliy welcomed them - that makes sense. I wonder if, in addition to the "Polar Owls", some ordinary parishioners from Magadan joined on their own motorbikes, or it was mainly a club event.

Jan Novák

I agree, the prayer immediately upon arrival was a good signal that it was mainly about prayer. From the photos I have seen, in addition to the Polar Owls, a few local boys from the parish on their own motorbikes joined, not only those from the club. I wonder if Deacon Dmitri somehow prepared it in advance or if it arose spontaneously.

Сергей Белов

It’s good that the prayer service immediately after arrival is to the point, I agree. In addition to the Polar Owls, there were also ordinary guys from our parish; I know two who came on their bikes. Do you ride a motorcycle yourself or are you just interested?

Илья Андреев

Yes, a prayer service immediately after arrival is the right thing to do, without unnecessary fuss. I’m glad that the guys from our parish got involved, especially on their bikes, it’s for real. I don’t ride a motorcycle myself, but if my wife allowed it, maybe I would try to ride to Snezhnoye on the weekend. Have the two you know been at the club for a long time or just got carried away?

Елена Смирнова

Yes, a prayer service right away is correct, without empty chatter. I know those two too, one of them is Kolya from our street, he has an old Izh. I don’t ride a motorcycle myself, but my husband sometimes rides on weekends and says that getting to Snezhny on such a road is a real challenge. Were you there?

Ксения Тарасова

No, I haven’t been to Magadan, it’s far from us. But it’s good that there’s a prayer service right away, and not talking later. Is Kolya and Izh the one that often stands outside the store? My husband also keeps an old motorcycle in the garage, but he no longer takes risks on such roads.

Yes, right after arriving, the prayer made sense, that the whole thing had a spiritual center of gravity. According to photos from the eparchy, in addition to the Polar Owls, a few ordinary parishioners also joined on their own motorbikes, it wasn't just a club event. I would be interested if such a motoprobeg could be organized here in Pilsen, perhaps on a smaller circuit.

Lucie Nováková

I agree, the local local motoprobeg looks cool when ordinary parishioners join the Arctic Owls. Here in Pilsen, it would go on a small circuit, perhaps to some excursion church, but we would have to find at least a few bikers who would like to lead it. What about you, Peter, do you have any contacts in the Pilsen motorcycle club?

Марина Андреева

It’s good that they held a prayer service immediately after arrival, it really was to the point. In Nizhny, we also sometimes have such trips, but without such frost, of course. Are you from Magadan yourself or do you just follow diocesan news?

Олег Голубев

It’s good that the prayer service was held right away, without unnecessary fuss. We also have such trips in Moscow, but more often in the Moscow region, without the Magadan frosts. In Nizhny, what kind of bikes do you usually ride, your own or club bikes?

Jakub Svoboda

I agree, the prayer guy made it clear right after his arrival that motorbikes were just a means of transport. From what I read, in addition to the Polar Owls, several ordinary parishioners from Magadan joined on their machines, including a father and daughter from a neighboring village. I wonder if Father Vasiliy Byzgaev prepared some refreshments after that mолебн, because we always cook tea and cakes after such events.

Martin Dvořák

Yes, the local motoprobeg in Magadan was well thought out, especially the local one on Snezhný. Here in Pilsen, it would take a shorter route, for example to St. Vojtěch na Doubravka, but without at least two or three experienced motorcyclists it would not be in order. Peter, do you drive alone or would you rather just coordinate it?

Václav Dvořák

Yes, I also thought of the idea of Pilsen - a small circuit to some excursion church sounds realistic and without much preparation. Petr, if you have the contacts, get in touch, maybe we could try it next year on the holiday. In our garden, I would then bake something for refreshments after mass.

Екатерина Новикова

It’s good that there is a prayer service immediately after arrival, without idle chatter. In St. Petersburg we also have such trips, but across the region, and not over such distances. In Nizhny, do you often have young people from Sunday school joining in, or are it mostly adults?

Галина Михайлова

It’s good that the prayer service was done right away, without any delay. In New York we don’t have such long trips; more often we just gather at parish picnics. Do you often travel with families to Nizhny, or are it mostly young people on motorcycles?

Ирина Андреева

Yes, a prayer service right away is right, without fuss and unnecessary talk. The guys from our parish have been with Polar Owls for a really long time, they’ve been in the club for three years now, for a reason. Did you seriously ask your wife about the bike or is it just a joke? 😊

Jiří Veselý

Petra, I would also join such a small circle from Pilsen, especially if it was to a quiet church in the forest, such as the one near Lhota. We would get a motorcyclist, but I would rather start with our deacon, if he doesn't come and at least lead the prayer at the start. What about you, Lucie, would you come with us even if it was only for a few kilometers?

Софья Семёнова

In Magadan, mostly adult motorcyclists gather; young people from Sunday school rarely get involved - they still have a long way to go. What distances do you usually ride in St. Petersburg? I wonder how you cope with the weather there.

Тамара Иванова

Yes, Kolya and Izh are the ones who are always hanging around the store. Prayer service first, that’s right, without further ado. What does your husband drive on weekends? Is it really an old one too?

Anna Nováková

That's a good idea, George. The church near Lhota is really peaceful and nice to stop. I would also join if it was Saturday morning, and I would ask my husband if he would at least go to the prayer with us.

Yes, the praying mantis really made it clear upon arrival. Here in Liberec, we also always make tea after similar events, but I bake the cakes myself according to my grandmother's recipe. I wonder if the father and daughter came from far away or if it was only a few kilometers away.

Yes, the route on Doubravka to St. Vojtěchu would be quite available. I would rather just coordinate it, I don't ride a motorcycle much myself, but I know a few guys from the neighborhood who could join. How many people would you like in that group?

Наталья Беляева

Thank you, Oleg, it’s nice that the prayer service is happening right away, without any fuss. In Tula, they also sometimes go out with Father Sergius, but more often on their own bikes, not club ones. In Moscow, do young people from churches often join in, or are they mostly “experienced”?

Daniel Procházka

Yes, the route on Doubravka to St. Vojtěch sounds really good, it's close and you can do it even with the family. I would take about 6-8 people in the group so that it is not too chaotic. Feel free to call the guys from the neighborhood, so we know how many motorbikes will meet.

That's a nice plan, George. That deacon could really lead the prayer at the start, I know him, he is willing. Lucie, how about we try to schedule it for that Saturday after the bank holiday so we can get it done before lunch?

Michal Černý

It's nice that your place in Liberec also has a joint meeting right after the event. My husband would definitely approve of grandma's pies because our daughter is just as picky about sweets. And if the father and daughter drove from afar, I would also be interested, they didn't write that in the report.

Marie Černá

Petř, call Václav, let's try it on Kazanská holiday. I would like the small circuit, it wouldn't have to be anything big. And thanks for the baking offer, Václav, we could add to my garden cakes.

Kateřina Svobodová

Yes, the prayer immediately upon arrival was a nice start, I agree. We also often stay for tea after mass in Olomouc, but I bake the cakes according to my mother-in-law's recipe, not my grandmother's. And if the father and his daughter came from Magadan or just from the surrounding area, I would also be interested, the report left it out.

Любовь Морозова

Yes, Kolya and Izh are right, his Ural has been parked outside the store for ten years. A prayer service at the beginning is the most correct thing; you shouldn’t go without it. My husband goes out on weekends in an old Java, he says, it’s more reliable than new equipment. Did anyone from your family participate?

Yeah, you'd be great at coordinating, that's exactly what we need right now. Call the guys from the neighborhood as soon as possible, so we know if we can fit in 6-8 people, as Daniel suggested. How many of them drive regularly?

Надежда Морозова

Here in Samara, too, it’s mostly adults who go on such long trips, while young people often go on short trips to the nearest churches. And in St. Petersburg, there is probably rain and wind - how do you save motorcycles from moisture there?

No, none of ours rode, the eldest son only rides his bike around the area. And my husband’s “Java” is a classic, my father used the same one for fishing in the 80s, he still remembers it. So Kolya and Izh were there too? I wonder how they built the column.

The prayer immediately upon arrival is a really good idea, it sets the person right away. Here in Prague, we also stay for coffee after similar events, but the wife brings the cakes according to her mother's recipe, not her mother-in-law's. And if the father and daughter drove all the way from Magadan, I would also be interested, the report really missed it.

Yeah, I'll call the guys tonight, most of them go regularly, only Honza misses sometimes because of shifts. We'll see if we can fit in the 6-8, or if we can add one more car. What about you, will you come with us?

Антон Зайцев

No, Kolya and Izh didn’t go this time, he had a shift at work. And the column was built simply: Deacon Dmitry was in front on his bike, behind him were the Polar Owls, and then everyone else, two by two. My husband’s “Java” is, yes, a thing, I drove the same one in Karelia in my youth, I still remember how it rattled on the dirt road.

Марина Морозова

It really often rains here in St. Petersburg, so many people simply don’t go out in such weather, and those who go wear good raincoats and motorcycle covers. Is it probably warmer and drier in Samara? I wonder how many kilometers are usually covered on your short trips with young people?

I agree, the prayer immediately upon arrival is really smart, you concentrate right away. At our place, after similar events, we also stay for coffee and cakes, but I make them according to a recipe from my grandmother from Liberec. And if the father and daughter traveled from Magadan, I would also be interested, the report really missed it.

Надежда Киселёва

Thank you, Anton, for telling us about the order of the column - I can imagine how Deacon Dmitry walked ahead of everyone, followed by Sovy. It’s a pity that Kolya and Izh couldn’t do it, change is such a thing. And my husband’s “Java” is really reliable, we still have an old motorcycle in our garden, sometimes my husband starts it and rumbles like in the old days.

Ondřej Novák

Yeah, that sounds good, Lucia. Let John decide for himself, shifts are shifts. I would prefer two cars so that no one has to cram the motorcycle into the trunk if it rains. I will go with you, just write me exactly when we leave.

Tereza Svobodová

Yeah, two cars sounds reasonable, especially with the rain that might come. Let Honza choose for himself, as you say. I will write you the exact time of departure tomorrow, after we have agreed with Lucia.

Pavel Černý

Yes, two cars are really better, especially when the weather turns bad. It would be enough for me if you rode with us in the second one, so that the motorbikes don't get separated. Let me know if you are still free on Friday night or if it interferes with something at work.