On August 6, the Kazan Diocese celebrated the traditional Macarius Trail, a prayer procession along the historical path that Reverend Macarius of Zheltovodsk and Unzhensky used to return from Kazan captivity in 1439.
The route is about 25 kilometers long and starts at Kapitanov Square in Verkhny Uslon and ends at the walls of the Voznesensky Makarievsky Monastery. Pilgrims walk along the Volga River, through fields and forests.
The Macarius Trail is considered to be the first pilgrimage ecotrope in Tatarstan. This route combines prayer, memory of the holy ascetic and acquaintance with the natural and historical heritage of the region.
During the passage, participants pray to St. Macarius and St. Nicholas, stop at holy springs, listen to stories about the history of these places and about the life of the monk. Locals traditionally greet pilgrims with icons.
Upon arrival at the Makaryevsky Monastery, the pilgrims were greeted by the brethren of the monastery. A festive meal is organized for the participants. Many stayed overnight to pray at the Divine Liturgy in the morning and partake of the Holy Mysteries of Christ.
"We are called to imitate the Lord Himself and the holy ascetics who pleased God with their righteous lives. In our prayers, we ask the Lord to give us strength to walk the path that the saints we honor have followed. We are weak people, and we are unable to accomplish the feat that St. Macarius accomplished, unable to follow his life path. But at least these twenty-odd kilometers of the path that St. Macarius walked, returning from captivity, we overcome with faith, love and prayer," said Abbot Ambrose (Gornovsky), the vicar of the Makaryevsky monastery.