Kirov is expecting a huge number of pilgrims of the Velikoretsky procession

      Today, on May 27, the Government of the Kirov region held a press conference on the organization and holding of the Velikoretsky Procession in 2025. It was attended by Priest Vitaly Lapshin, Secretary of the Vyatka Diocese, Stanislav Kurshakov, Deputy Minister of Internal Policy of the Kirov Region, and Vyacheslav Simakov, head of the Kirov City Administration.

      The Kirov region is finalizing preparations for the Velikoretsky procession, which will take place from June 3 to June 8: on June 3, at 7:00 a.m., divine services will begin in the Assumption Cathedral of the Trifonov Monastery, a prayer service will take place at 9:00 a.m., after which a column of pilgrims will set off at 10:00 a.m. — the procession will leave the monastery gates. On June 5, the participants of the march will arrive in the village of Velikoretskoye, where on June 6 at 10:00 a.m. the main divine service will be held on the banks of the Velikaya River, which will be led by Metropolitan Mark. After the liturgy, the rite of consecration of the river will take place, where pilgrims will be able to swim and collect holy water. On June 8, the procession will end in Kirov — at about 16:30, the pilgrims will return to the Trifonov Monastery.

      The peculiarity of this year's march is that the days of the procession coincide with Trinity Parents' Saturday (June 7) and Trinity (June 8). In this regard, additional services will be held.

      Tens of thousands of people are expected to take part in the march. According to the organizers, the number of pilgrims may exceed the figure of last year: in 2023, about 20 thousand people went to the procession, and about 50 thousand people took part in the divine service in the meadow in Velikoretsky.

      A special headquarters has been set up under the leadership of Vice Governor Andrey Luchinin to ensure order and security. The team included representatives of the district administrations, the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Emergency Situations and other departments. Ambulance crews will be on duty along the route, mobile medical centers and round-the-clock operation of the FAA in Velikoretsky will be organized. In case of emergency situations, the use of all-terrain and rescue equipment is provided.

      Much attention has been paid to landscaping: about 100 toilet stalls and dumpsters in parking lots will be installed along the route, overnight shelters and hot and cold drinking water will be provided. More than 45 hectares of the territory have been treated from ticks, including in Kirov.

      The participants of the procession are reminded of the need to observe fire protection measures, take care of nature and be attentive to each other. At the start, memos with recommendations are distributed, including how not to harm the environment. According to statistics, the largest number of calls to doctors is associated with calluses and sunstroke, so the organizers advise taking care of comfortable shoes and protective equipment in advance. It is also advised that when walking through the forest, do not forget about repellent treatment and do not move away from the course in order to protect yourself from tick attacks.

      The changes will also affect urban infrastructure: on June 3 and 8, streets in the center of Kirov and along the route of the procession will be closed, including Kazanskaya, Herzen, Lenin and Slobodskoy Tract. Buses from other regions will be sent to specially designated parking lots.

      The route of the procession will remain traditional: the pilgrims will walk from the Trifonov Monastery in Kirov to the village of Velikoretskoye and back. Residents of the region will also be able to support the participants — volunteers are already preparing water and food for the pilgrims.

      The preparations will be completed by the beginning of June, when Kirov will become a point of attraction for pilgrims from all over the country.