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Pilgrimage of families of SVO participants to the churches of Magadan as part of the “Live and Believe” projecttranslated

July 6, 2026 · 1 min read

June 15, 2026 on the basis of the Magadan Regional Library named after. A. S. Pushkin held an event during which, with the participation of the Chairman of the Committee of Families of Soldiers of the Fatherland of the Russian Federation, Yu. V. Belekhova, representatives of government bodies and the clergy, the charitable project Live and Believe was officially launched, of which the Magadan Diocese is a participant. On June 27, the project moved into the practical stage: a group of participants, as part of the first trip, visited the churches of the city of Magadan and the Intercession Convent. Let us remind you that the project Live and Believe is aimed at spiritual and psychological support for families of participants in a special military operation. The goal of the project is to unite families of SVO participants into mutual aid groups, strengthen their faith and restore internal harmony through joint events and common prayer. The project program includes four pilgrimage trips to the holy places of the Magadan region, meetings with clergy and excursions to churches and monasteries. Press service of the diocese

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

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Галина Соловьёва

It’s good that we started with a pilgrimage to our churches and the Intercession Monastery. Families definitely need to pray together and just be quiet, not just at library meetings. I hope the next three trips will also be smooth.

Евгения Комарова

It’s good that we were immediately taken to the Intercession Monastery and to the city churches, and not just sat in the library. Families can really benefit from praying quietly together. I wonder where they will take you on the next three trips?

Mark Parker

Хорошо, что сразу повезли в Покровский монастырь, а не только в библиотеке посидели. Молитва в тишине действительно помогает, особенно когда вся семья вместе. Интересно, какие ещё святые места области запланировали на следующие три поездки.

Basil Young

Good point about starting at the Pokrovsky monastery — the quiet there really does settle the mind better than any meeting room. My son’s family went on a similar trip last year and said the nuns’ simple garden walk after prayers stuck with them more than anything. What other spots in the region do you think would help families the most?

Bogdan Rusu

Good thing they started with the Pokrovsky monastery and the churches in the city, not just with speeches at the library. Those people need that real peace after so much waiting. I wonder if they will also reach any more secluded monastery in the diocese in the other three roads.

طوني معلوف

It is good that they started visiting the Покровский monastery and the city’s churches, instead of just sitting in the library. Joint prayer in silence helps more than talking, especially for families. I wonder what other holy places in the diocese they will take on the next three trips.

Mark Baker

Good point about heading straight to the Pokrovsky monastery instead of another library talk. My wife and I visited there a couple of years back and the silence in the church after the service really did more for us than any scheduled meeting. Have you heard if they’re including the Holy Trinity Cathedral up in Susuman on one of the later trips?

James Morris

The Pokrovsky garden walk sounds spot on — nothing beats that kind of simple quiet after everything these families have been through. I reckon a stop at the Church of the Life-Giving Trinity in Ola would help too; the drive out there along the coast always clears your head before you even get inside. Have you heard if they’re planning any trips further up the coast?

كارلا نصار

Yes, a practical visit is much better than meetings in the library. I heard they will be taking them on upcoming trips to the Monastery of St. Anastasia in Olshanka and to the Church of St. Nicholas in Omsukshan. Joint prayer really calms the soul more, especially for mothers and wives.

Irene Wilson

Yes, skipping another talk for the monastery was smart — those quiet moments after the service do settle the mind better than words. I haven't heard about Susuman yet, but the programme mentions four trips total, so maybe the Holy Trinity Cathedral is on the list for later. Did you and your wife light a candle for anyone specific while you were there?

Photini Miller

The Pokrovsky garden really does give that proper quiet, doesn’t it. I hadn’t thought of the Trinity church in Ola, but the coastal drive sounds like it would do wonders for the families. Are they thinking of adding it to one of the later pilgrimages?

جيسيكا نصار

Yes, praying in a monastery gives a completely different comfort, especially when the group is small and quiet. I heard that they might add a visit to the Trinity Church in Balighin on the third trip. Have you visited any of these places before?

كميل خوري

Yes, praying in a small, quiet group really brings profound comfort, especially in the Monastery of the Epiphany. I visited Trinity Church in Baligin once two years ago with a group of women, and the atmosphere there was very calm. Have you heard more details about the third trip?

إلياس نصار

Yes, praying with a small group in a quiet place like the Monastery of the Epiphany or the Trinity Church in Baligin leaves a completely different effect. I heard that the third trip will be towards the Monastery of Saint Mary in Olshan, but I do not yet know the exact date. Do you remember if your group passed the same monastery two years ago?

Daniel Wilson

The Pokrovsky garden walk really does give that proper quiet, doesn’t it. I’ve been out to Ola a couple times myself and that coastal drive does clear the head before you even step inside the Trinity church. Not sure about further up the coast, but I’ll ask our deacon after small group this week if the later trips might head that way.

Elizabeth King

Yes, those quiet minutes after the service really do more good than another speech. We lit a candle for my cousin’s husband who’s still over there. Have you been to the Pokrovsky monastery yourself, Irene?

Yes, praying in a small, quiet group, as you said in the Monastery of the Epiphany, gives real comfort. I tried it once in my garden after evening prayers, and the result was different. As for the third trip, I heard that it might include a visit to the Monastery of Saint Mary, but the date has not been determined yet. Were you a large group on your visit to Trinity Church two years ago?

رانيا معلوف

Yes, praying in a small group really gives a different comfort. I felt the same thing when we visited Deir El-Ghattas with Sarah’s mother and daughter two months ago. As for our visit to Trinity Church two years ago, we were only seven women, so it was not crowded. Have you tried the third trip or not?

حنا معلوف

Yes, praying in the garden after the evening is a nice idea. I sometimes do it on the balcony with the rosemary plant that I planted last year. The third trip to St. Mary's Monastery seems very suitable for families, but I hope they set the date soon. Have you participated in any previous visit to the monastery?

جورج عبود

Yes, rosemary on the balcony is a practical idea. I grow mint next to the bread I bake sometimes. The third trip to St. Mary's Monastery is really suitable for families, but unfortunately they have not set the date yet. I have not participated in previous visits to the monastery, but I heard that it is very quiet there.