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Pilgrimage trip to the Butovo training ground and the Main Church of the Armed Forcestranslated

July 19, 2026 · 1 min read

On July 17, on the day of remembrance of the royal martyrs, the parish of the Church of the Nativity of the Virgin Mary in Volokolamsk made a pilgrimage to the Butovo training ground and to the Patriot park.

At the Butovo training ground, pilgrims with a guide visited the site of mass executions, got acquainted with the museum’s exhibition and prayed at the Church of the New Martyrs and Confessors of Russia in Butovo. Then the parishioners went to the Patriot Park, where they visited the Road of Memory museum complex and the Church of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation in honor of the Resurrection of Christ. Experienced guides introduced pilgrims from Volokolamsk to a wonderful exhibition dedicated to the Great Patriotic War, and also told about the history of the construction of the Church of the Resurrection of Christ. At the end, everyone went up to the bell tower, where they enjoyed the beautiful ringing and learned about the history of bell making.

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Мариана Тодорова

It's good that they went exactly on July 17 to Butovo - there you pray and you really feel how close the new martyrs are. I wonder if they were told more about the priests from Volokolamsk who died there. And the bell tower has apparently impressed everyone, and I would go up.

Christina Müller

Yes, July 17th suits Butovo really well. I was also interested to know whether the guides said anything about the priests from Volokolamsk who were shot there. Climbing the bell tower sounds nice, we also took part in a rehearsal sound in our choir last year - it stays in your ears.

Johannes Becker

Yes, July 17th is really appropriate. I heard that the guide mentioned by name two priests from the Volokolamsk district who were shot there in 1937 - one of them was probably from the neighboring village. Two years ago we also rang an old bell in our church choir; you don't forget the vibration in your chest. Did you then complete the “path of memory”?

Атанас Николов

Yes, precisely on July 17, the connection with the new martyrs is especially strongly felt. About Volokolam priests, the tour guide mentioned two - Father Sergius and Father Vasily, who were shot there in 1937. The bell tower is really worth it, the ringing can be heard from afar, and the view of the park is nice. Have you been to Patriot recently?

Методи Костов

Yes, exactly on July 17 in Butovo, one stands and thinks how real these martyrs are. We haven't heard much about the Volokolam priests, but since Atanas mentioned Father Sergius and Father Basil, I will look for more about them at home. Did you go to the bell tower, Mariana, or do you just want to?

Николай Петков

Yes, exactly on July 17 there one really thinks. I went to the bell tower two years ago with the group from Varna - the bell could be heard all the way to the parking lot, and the tour guide told us how the bells have been ringing since the time of the tsars. It will be interesting to honor Father Sergius and Father Basil, they are among the new martyrs there, they are not from Volokolam, but apparently Athanasus mentioned them on occasion. When do you plan to go?

Sebastian Hoffmann

Yes, July 17th fits in really well. Last year in our community we also mentioned one of the priests from Volokolamsk who died there - his name is on the plaque in the museum. Have you ever heard the sound on the Kolokolnja yourself or just participated in the choir?

Anna Weber

Yes, July 17th is really a suitable day for this. I also saw the name of the priest from Volokolamsk on the board, which touched me very much. I haven't been up to the Kolokolnya myself, I only heard the sound downstairs during the service - how was it with you?

Franziska Hoffmann

Yes, July 17th is really fitting because it all comes together - the memory of the Tsar's family and the new martyrs. I also discovered the priest from Volokolamsk straight away, that was a real moment. Up on the Kolokolnja the sound was even fuller, almost like a whole orchestra, and the wind really helped. Have you ever been to the “Village of Remembrance” museum next door?

Lukas Weber

Yes, July 17th is a really good date because on this day the focus is particularly on the new martyrs. I also discovered the priest from Volokolamsk on the board, that was a real moment for me. I climbed up the Kolokolnya myself; the sound up there is completely different than down below - almost like a vibration in my whole body. Have you ever been there?