Representation of the Orthodox Church in America
to the Russian Orthodox Church of the Moscow Patriarchate

News | 08-02-07 First Day of the Pilgrimage to the Holy Sites of Italy – Bari

On Thursday, 8 February 2007, the pilgrims from St. Catherine the Great Martyr Church celebrated the Divine Liturgy at the Basilica of Saint Nicholas the Wonderworker in Bari on the relics of the saint. The Liturgy was celebrated by Archimandrite Zacchaeus, Dean of St. Catherine the Great Martyr Church and concelebrated by visiting Igumen Sergei, the Representative of the Russian Orthodox Church to the Church of the Czech Lands and Slovakia and Dean of the Russian Embassy Church in Prague; and Priest Daniel Lugovoi, cleric of St. Catherine church. During the course of their visit to the Basilica, each pilgrim received the blessing to venerate the relics of Saint Nicholas which reside under the altar table in the Roman Catholic altar.

Following the Divine Liturgy, the pilgrims visited the Russian Orthodox Church of St. Nicholas of Bari where they were greeting by parish rector, Archpriest Vladimir Kuchumov. Archimandrite Zacchaeus presented the Russian parish with a newly published book “Holy Sites of the Russian Diaspora” as well as an informational booklet about the Moscow Representation of the Orthodox Church in America and thanked Father Vladimir for his hospitality. After the visit to the Russian Church of Saint Nicholas, the pilgrims returned to the Roman Catholic Basilica where they served a moleben with an akathist to Saint Nicholas the Wonderworker. After a full day of prayers to the Holy Wonderworker Nicholas, the pilgrims returned to their hotel giving glory to God for His mercy and looking forward to the next days of their pilgrimage.