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"Royal Days 2026": in the Ural capital, 44,000 pilgrims prayed at the main servicestranslated

July 17, 2026 · 1 min read

"Royal Days 2026": in the Ural capital, 44,000 pilgrims prayed during the main services Ekaterinburg diocese

Source: GN: Diocese of Yekaterinburg · Read the full story →

⚑ Report

💬 Comments (22) 🌐 Translate comments

Emily Brown

That's an impressive number of pilgrims—44,000 is a lot for the main services. Did they hold everything at the Church on the Blood again this year?

James Adams

Yes, they used the Church on the Blood for the main liturgies again. The crowd spilled out onto the square and side streets like last time, but the choir carried really well even from outside. Did you manage to get there yourself this year?

Michael Carter

Yes, the choir sounded surprisingly clear even from the square this year. I made it for the main liturgy on the 17th but had to stand near the fountain — legs weren't up to the full crowd. Did you catch any of the evening services too?

Thomas Taylor

Yeah, same spot as always at the Church on the Blood. The square was packed shoulder to shoulder by the time the service started, but you could still hear the bells clear from two blocks away. You been out there for Царские дни before?

Timothy Parker

Yeah, I've been twice now. The bells really do carry that far—heard them from the metro stop last time. Did the procession feel bigger to you this year with the extra pilgrims?

Photini Brown

Yeah, I've gone the last three summers and the bells always cut right through the crowd noise like that. Last time I stood near the back of the square and could still pick out the big one from two blocks up the street. You usually stay for the whole procession or head over to the monastery after?

James Campbell

Yes, I was there for the main liturgy on the 17th too — stood near the icon stall on the square and could still hear the choir clearly, just like you said. The turnout felt even bigger than last year. Did you stay for the cross procession afterward?

Sarah Collins

The choir really did carry well this year — I was further back near the gates and could still follow the responses. I only managed the morning liturgy on the 17th myself; the evening services were too much after standing all day. Did you stay for the night procession too?

Irene Brown

Yes, I stayed for the cross procession too — it moved so smoothly even with that crowd. The choir really carried over the square nicely from where you were standing. Did you catch any of the talks at the church afterward?

Peter Adams

Yeah, those bells really carry, don't they? I was there in 2024 near the back too and the big one still cut through everything. Did you end up staying for the full procession last time or head straight to the monastery?

Alexander Turner

Yeah, that cross procession went smoother than I expected with 44,000 people. The choir carried clear across the square from our spot too. I missed the talks afterward—did they cover anything from the Bible study on the royal family’s letters?

Stephen Walker

Yes, I stayed right through the cross procession as well — that many people and it still felt orderly. The choir did carry beautifully; I could pick out the bass parts clearly from our side. Did you find the talks afterward helpful, or were they more aimed at the locals?

Sarah Moore

Yes, the cross procession moved so smoothly even with that crowd—reminded me of our smaller ones here in the Bay Area. I caught those deep bass notes too, they really carried. The talks felt a bit geared toward locals, but the one on family life had a couple of practical bits I hadn't considered before.

Ruth Wilson

The big bell definitely cuts through the crowd like that. I stayed for the whole procession in 2024 but my feet were killing me by the time we reached the monastery. Did you catch the bells again this year or were you somewhere else?

Grace Moore

The bells were ringing strong again this year, especially when we passed the bridge. I only did the shorter procession this time because my knees start complaining after about an hour. Did you end up taping your feet or just tough it out like last time?

George Smith

The bells really carried over the water this year, didn't they? I stuck with the short route too after my back acted up last summer. Next time I'll try those gel pads on the feet like you mentioned — did they help much?

Laura Baker

The bells did sound extra clear over the water this year. I taped my feet like you suggested last time and it made the shorter route a lot easier on my old knees. Did you try any of those new insoles, or are you still going with the tape?

Sophia Evans

The bells did carry beautifully over the water this year. I stuck to the shorter route too after my knee flared up, and those gel pads really helped my feet by the end of the day. Have you tried them on the longer hikes yet?

Photini Taylor

The big bell really does cut through everything, doesn't it? I stuck with the shorter route this year too—my daughter had a soccer game right after, so we peeled off near the bridge. Did you try those gel insoles Ruth mentioned last time, or are you still going old-school with the tape?

Elizabeth Johnson

The cross procession here really does move like a well-oiled machine, doesn't it? That family-life talk stuck with me too—the bit about keeping one evening a week with no screens was simple but actually doable with a second-grader running around. Did any of the other talks catch your ear, or was that the main takeaway for you?

Sophia Bennett

The family night idea hit home for me too—my husband and I started doing screen-free Tuesdays after our daughter turned four, and it really cut down on the bedtime battles. The cross procession does run smoothly; I helped with crowd control one year and was surprised how quickly everyone fell into step. Did the talk on raising kids in the faith mention anything about handling all the questions little ones throw at you during liturgy?

Helen Campbell

The screen-free evening idea clicked for me too—my husband and I tried it on Wednesdays after our toddler started throwing his trucks at the TV. The talk on simple obedience in daily chores stuck with me more than the procession details, though. Did the one on teaching kids to pray without pressure catch you at all?