St. Peters Pilgrims for Finland & Russia

ST. PETERS PILGRIMS

For your Pilgrimage to:-

Fatima, Knock, Guadalupe, Malta, Rome, Assisi, San Giovanni, Finland with Russia, Turkey, Santiago, Holy Land, Medugorje

FINLAND & RUSSIA

Seven days (6 nights)

Full Board - By schedule flights of Finnair

Pilgrimage Reference VA7

Pilgrimage to the East

Church of the Spilled Blood - St. Petersburg

Icon of The Virgin of Tikhvin, Ilomantsi

We are pleased to be again making Pilgrimage to Finland and Russia in 2005. The country is out of this world, quite different from anything else in Europe. Most beautiful lakes and forests as well as a very modern cities. The traditional log hut buildings, (not so much huts, more grand hotels!) the wooden churches with their beautiful screens & icons take your breath away. The awesome but austere life and the faith of 100 or so monks who are rebuilding the Old Valomo Monastery deserted after the Russian revolution can not fail to impress. What impresses most is the tremendous welcome & hospitality of the people themselves.

Saints Sergie & Herman - founders of the Old Vallaam Monastery

Looking for a bargain in St. Petersburg

Our departure date 2005:-

Saturday 2nd July

For Parish Groups (20 Pilgrims +) it is possible to arrange this Pilgrimage at any date and duration to suit your Group.

Itinerary and (Optional) Programme 2005

Day 1 - Saturday 2 July
We fly from HEATHROW to HELSINKI and then an internal flight to JOENSUU & our coach to take us to the modern, NEW VALAMO MONASTERY for dinner bed & breakfast.

Day 2 - Sunday
After Mass we visit the monastery & it’s visitor facility including an excellent shop. Transfer to KUOPIO, followed by a short presentation of Lintula, next the Kupio Orthodox episcopate & museum. Finally IISALMI EVAKKOKESKUS & dinner with Fr Elias in the Pilgrims centre. Back to Valamo for the night.

Day 3 - Monday
Mass. Transfer back to JOENSUU and check into hotel. In the afternoon we will tour the City and visit ST NIKOALOS church. Coach to ILOMANTSI for Parppeinvaara presentation & kantele music. Evening Prayer & presentation on Orthodox parish life at ST ELIAH and dinner with local wine tasting. Then to our hotel in Joensuu for bed & breakfast.

Day 4 - Tuesday
Depart for SORTAVALA. Passport control in VARTSILA as we enter RUSSIA. Hydrofoil to OLD VALAMO Monastery & boat to visit ST. NIKON’S Bay for lunch & a short concert. Hydrofoil to PRIOZERSK & coach to ST. PETERSBURG.

Day 5 - Wednesday
Mass in the Church of Our Lady of Lourdes followed by a tour of ST. PETERSBURG.
In the afternoon we will visit the
HERMITAGE and the rest of the afternoon at leisure.

Day 6 - Thursday
Mass in the Catholic Parish Church of St. Catherine of Alexandria followed by a visit to Mother Teresa centre. Shopping in St. Petersburg then a transfer to the Railway station for the Sibelius train to HELSINKI and our hotel.

Day 7 - Friday
Mass in St. Helsinki's Catholic Cathedral followed by a sightseeing tour of the city ending at the airport for our flight home arriving Heathrow at 3.10 pm.

HOTELS

In Joensuu, Finland we will be staying in
the New Valamo Monastery Guest House.

In St. Petersburge, Russia in the Hotel Moscow.

In Helsinki on the last night, The Sokas Hotel Vaakuna.

Wood built, Finnish Orthodox Church

Price: £868.

What’s included. Return flights. All Government & airport taxes. Transfers, coach, train & boat journeys as shown in the itinerary. Full board accommodation (with three lunches included) based on a twin room. Entrance fees to all sites mentioned. An English speaking guide.

What’s not included. Russian visa (Approx £35) Insurance. Single-room supplement £120.00. Gratuities for guide & drivers.

Coming from outside the UK? If you would like to make your own arrangements and fly direct to Finland (Helsinki Airport) and meet us at the airport there is a discount of £250.00 on these prices. We will book your internal flight from Helsinki to Joensuu.