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The first guests will be the children of the heroes: the Epiphany Pilgrimage Center has been opened in the Kholkovsky Monasterytranslated

July 7, 2026 · 1 min read

With the blessing of Metropolitan John of Belgorod and Stary Oskol

On July 7, on the day of the Nativity of the Prophet, Baptist and Baptist John, a significant event took place in the Chernyansky district for the entire Holy Belogorye - the consecration and grand opening of the new Pilgrimage Center and the Epiphany house church of the Holy Trinity Kholkovsky Monastery.

The rite of consecration of the building and the house church and the first Divine Liturgy in the newly consecrated church were performed by the Head of the Belgorod Metropolis, Metropolitan John of Belgorod and Stary Oskol. Concelebrating with the bishop was the abbot of the monastery, Abbot Nikodim (Miroshnichenko), and the dean of the Belgorod diocese.

After the completion of the rite of consecration, the bishop addressed the worshipers: “Let us pray today at the first Divine Liturgy, remembering that today the sky is especially open above us, since you and I, thank God, have built another house of God. Let us pray for the health of the living, for the repose of all who did not live to see this day,” called Metropolitan John.

At the special litany, special petitions were offered and a prayer for Holy Rus' was read.

At the end of the service, an official ceremony took place on the square in front of the Pilgrimage Center...

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

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💬 Comments (16) 🌐 Show original

Cristina López

What good news. I'm glad that the first guests are the heroes' children, that makes a lot of sense. I hope the center serves to rest and feel close to God.

Hannah King

Sounds like a peaceful spot for those kids to stay. Nice that the first guests will be children of heroes, and the new house church is already hosting its first Liturgy on St. John’s day.

Василий Комаров

It’s good that the first guests will be the children of the heroes - let them relax in silence, go fishing in the local ponds, if allowed. The consecration exactly on the day of John the Baptist is correct; Vladika John said well about the house of God. I wonder when the center will be fully operational and pilgrims will be able to go.

Florin Stan

Good thing the first guests are the children of the heroes, they need peace after all this time. I liked what Metropolitan John said about the house of God we built. When can ordinary families go on pilgrimage there?

Miguel Martínez

I'm glad you see it that way, Cristina. It's nice that the children are the first to arrive, I hope they find a little peace there after everything their families have been through. Have you ever been to Holkovsky?

Dušan Obradović

It's good that the first guests are the children of heroes, let them rest in silence. The consecration on the day of St. John the Forerunner has a special weight, and Bishop Jovan spoke beautifully about this new home of God. I am interested in when they will start accepting ordinary families as gifts.

Γιώργος Μακρής

It's good that the children of the heroes will be the first to stay, let them find some peace there. The opening on the very day of the Forerunner shows that they did it with prayer. When will a simple family like ours be able to go on pilgrimage?

Đorđe Simić

I agree, it's really nice that the hero's children got priority first, let them rest properly. I also noticed that the consecration on the day of St. John the Forerunner gave some special weight to the whole event. Do you know if they have already announced the exact date when they will accept ordinary families as well?

Ana López

Yes, Miguel, it is a joy that the heroes' children are the first to set foot in that new center. I hope they find a moment of real calm there, like when you go to the monastery and you only hear the wind through the trees. And you, have you already visited the Holkovsky?

Marija Pavlović

I agree, it's really nice that they thought of the hero kids first, that's really fair. They haven't announced the exact date for ordinary families yet, but I heard that they will start accepting after the Assumption. And would you take your children there?

Isabel Romero

Yes, Ana, I agree that those children deserve that real break, away from the noise. The wind between the trees of Holkovsky is the most healing, as you say. I was there two summers ago with my son and I still remember the silence of the forest after the liturgy. Do you know the monastery or have you only seen it in photos?

Наталья Макарова

Yes, it’s good that at first the children of the heroes will be accepted - it will definitely be useful for them in silence, especially after everything. The ponds there are beautiful, I heard there are fish, but you need to check with the brothers whether they will allow you to fish. And the center, apparently, will soon be fully operational; pilgrims are expected this year.

Ольга Зайцева

Yes, Natalya, the children of the heroes will really be calm there, especially near the ponds. I heard that the brethren are already preparing rooms for such groups in the first place. Have you been to Kholki yourself before or do you only know about the fish from stories?

Дмитрий Морозов

Yes, it’s really quiet near the ponds, especially in the morning when the fish are biting. I myself went to Kholki for fishing a couple of times even before the center opened, and we caught some good pike. Do you, Olga, often go there with your children or are you just planning it?

Елена Зайцева

Yes, Olga, the ponds there are really quiet, especially when the children are just sitting with fishing rods. I heard that the brethren are already preparing rooms for such groups first, this is good. Are you planning to go there with your grandchildren or are you just discussing it?

Тамара Виноградова

Yes, Elena, the ponds are really very calm, especially in the morning. My husband and I are just thinking about taking our eldest grandson there for the weekend - he’s a beginner fisherman, let him sit with a fishing rod. Have you already been to the new center or only know it from reviews?