Binghamton, New York, March 1, 2019
Photo: orthodoxtours.com
Several exciting upcoming pilgrimage trips have been announced by the Orthodox Tours pilgrimage company.
Eight upcoming trips throughout 2019 have been announced, offering something for everyone, including pilgrimages to the Holy Land, Russia, and Asia Minor.
Orthodox Tours was established by Fr. Ilya Gotlinsky of Binghamton, New York in 2001 “to provide a travel opportunity for those who desire to expand their understanding and knowledge of the Orthodox Church, Church History and Christian Sacred Art.”
Photo: orthodoxtours.com
A brief description of each trip is given below. For more information please visit the Orthodox Tours site.
May 6-18, 2019: Pilgrimage to the Holy Land
A hand-tailored pilgrimage to the Holy Land covering all of the famous and most sacred sites of Christendom in Judea, Samaria and Galilee. Walk the fifth Gospel with us and enjoy a tremendous scope of sites that will help you put Biblical events and earliest Church history in context. Every time we go, we try to add something new or re-visit the special places that leave the most profound impact on all of our pilgrims.
July 1-15, 2019: Russia: History, Culture and Religion
Our tour of Russia will include visits to many religious and cultural sites of Moscow and St. Petersburg. The program is supplemented with many visits to the smaller Russian Medieval cities east of Moscow (Sergiev Posad, Suzdal, Vladimir, Yarsolavl, Rostov the Great, Vologda and Ferapontovo) that comprise a route better known by its nickname “the Golden Ring.” Our trip will have a significant cultural component, with visits to many local folk museums, stores, concerts, and other special cultural activities that represent the true history and traditions of Russia— not oversimplified and vulgarized by mass media programing.
July 12-26, 2019: The Best of Russia
Our trip in mid-July will bring travelers to Moscow and from there, on to Pskov and Novgorod to Valaam and St. Petersburg. We’ve offered similar trips since 2001 and this combination of sites seems to be some of the most exciting for our travelers. Valaam is held dear by many Orthodox in North America as St. Herman, the enlightener of Alaska, traveled to the American continent directly from Valaam. At the same time, the Pskov Cave Monastery and its inhabitants were greatly popularized by a contemporary book Everyday Saints.
Sept 30 – Oct 13, 2019: Pilgrimage to Asia Minor – in the Footsteps of the Apostles and the Byzantine Saints
Our pilgrimage through Asia Minor is a travel offer to one of the most spectacular destinations. The cave churches and monasteries of Cappadocia, Myra in Lycia of St. Nichola's fame, Aspendos and Perge, witnessed to Paul journeys, Hierapolis, where St. Philip met his martyric end, churches of the Revelation, the Isle of the Revelation – Patmos, and the grandest jewel of them all—the Imperial City of Constantinople, are all on our itinerary! This trip is perfect as a stand-alone experience and will be an excellent extension to those who have travelled with us previously to the Holy Land.
October 14-26, 2019: Pilgrimage to the Holy Land
This pilgrimage is very similar to the pilgrimage offer in May. Sites in and around Jerusalem, monasteries of the Judean Desert, Nazareth, Cana, Sea of Galilee, Baptismal site at the Bethany Beyond the Jordan, Mt. Nebo, incredible mosaic map, mysterious Petra, splendid Jerash, Herodian and Crusader fortresses, and many other sites will help you to experience and appreciate the Holy Land at its fullest. We make sure that the presentation is geared toward the interests of the Orthodox pilgrims.
We welcome friends and fellow believers from all over the world. All of the itineraries are uniquely designed and were researched and prepared by the staff of Orthodox Tours. Our tours are in no way offered by third parties offered for re-sale. All of our tours are conducted in English and accompanied by full time English-speaking guide/escorts and clergy.
We welcome all participants and encourage friendship and the fostering of the Gospel message of love.
With any questions or for registration please visit: www.orthodoxtours.com or contact Fr. Ilya Gotlinsky directly at: ortours@gmail.com.
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