VYSHA, RUSSIA: July 12, 2017
Pilgrims from the Russian Church Abroad Led By Metropolitan Hilarion of Eastern America and New York Visit Uspensky Convent

On July 11, 2017, pilgrims of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia led by His Eminence Metropolitan Hilarion of Eastern America and New York visited Uspensky Convent in Vysha, Russia.

Abbess Vera greeted the guests at the gates of the monastery and led them to Kazan Cathedral of the Mother of God, where the pilgrims venerated the miracle-working Vysha Icon of the Mother of God, the relics of St Theophan the Recluse of Vysha and other holy icons. Nun Yuliania told them about the history of the convent, about the local holy sites as well as the story of the translation of the relics of St Theophan the Recluse.

The pilgrims then went to the St Theophan Museum, led by Nun Yuliania, who told them about the life and work of St Theophan in his seclusion, which lasted over 20 years. The pilgrims viewed the icons painted by the saint, and listened to the story of his efforts while in seclusion, and of his advice on the healing properties of milk. St Theophan constructed a balcony for walking during his seclusion, surrounded by a grate which separated him from the other monastics and pilgrims.

The pilgrims were then invited to the convent’s refectory for a meal. The pilgrims then set out for Diveevo Convent.

Vladyka Hilarion bid a warm farewell to Abbess Vera, thanking her for her hospitality. She in turn gave each pilgrim a printed icon of St Theophan, the convent’s heavenly patron.

This pilgrimage was organized to mark the hundredth anniversary of the beginning of godless persecutions in Russia and the tenth anniversary of the reestablishment of unity between the Russian Orthodox Church of the Moscow Patriarchate and the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia. Before visiting Vysha, the pilgrims had already been to churches and monasteries of Moscow, Ryazan and Optina Hermitage.