The Yaroslavl Region Government Corporate University hosted a strategic session on youth pilgrimage, which brought together about 50 students interested in preserving spiritual heritage and shaping modern approaches to pilgrimage activities. The participants, working in groups, analyzed the current state of the pilgrimage centers, the availability of transport, accommodation and food conditions, as well as the level of service aimed at a young audience.
""The event was organized with the participation of the Commission of the Russian Orthodox Church for the development of pilgrimage and the sacrifice of shrines and was held within the framework of the interregional forum "Unity".
The session was attended by Abbot Mikhail (Solodukhina), Head of the Department for the Development of domestic and outbound pilgrimage of the Commission, and Marina Zhulina, Adviser to the Deputy Chairman of the Government of the Yaroslavl Region.
The leading trainers were the curator of the youth project "Startup of the Spirit" nun Gavriila (Skurikhina) and Andrey Pugachev. Andrey Danilov, Head of the Department of Regional Studies and Tourism at Yaroslavl State University named after P.G. Demidov, also participated in the jury.
The participants of the strategic session noted that pilgrimage is now perceived by young people not only as a religious experience, but also as an opportunity for inner search, acquaintance with culture and history, as well as as a format for meaningful travel. During the discussion, stereotypes about the closeness of monasteries, the lack of conditions for young people and the difficulty of communicating with the clergy were dispelled.
In the game format, students developed conceptual routes, discussed the most attractive formats and events for young people, the use of digital and modern solutions, as well as educational formats and workshops. The young people offered ideas for integrating interactive maps, mobile apps, audio guides, and online platforms for planning pilgrimage trips.
Special attention was paid to the educational component: thematic workshops, meetings with historians and religious scholars, creative laboratories and project work.
The developed projects were presented at the end of the session. Based on them, practical recommendations on youth pilgrimage will be developed for the spiritual centers involved in the implementation of this direction. These include the creation of an accessible and comfortable environment for young pilgrims, the development of volunteer programs, the introduction of flexible stay formats and the active use of feedback.
The strategic session became a platform for an open dialogue between the youth and the organizers of pilgrimage projects. ""The recommendations developed will form the basis for further work on the development of the national route "Golden Ring" and will be taken into account in the formation of youth programs within the framework of interregional cooperation and the implementation of the Startup of the Spirit project.