The tradition of religious processions in the Tambov diocese

Abstract

The tradition of religious processions in the Tambov diocese dates back to the last quarter of the 17th century, when Saint Pitirim was in office. The traditions of religious processions on holidays instituted by Saint Pitirim were maintained in the Tambov diocese at the end of the 18th century, as evidenced by printed materials of that time. The Tambov Orthodox tradition also knows the form of religious procession on the occasion of a ceremonial meeting of an important guest. The history and annual practice of conducting a religious procession with the miraculous icon of the Vyshenskaya Mother of God allows us to see the tradition in all the richness of its spiritual meanings and the power of expressing the Orthodox faith. The author comes to the conclusion that acquaintance with the history of the religious procession is interesting as a guide in the spiritual development of the Orthodox society. Firstly, this tradition teaches the experience of prayerful unity of the people in moments of danger, gives a lesson in turning to the Lord for help, to the Mother of God as the first intercessor to Her Son for the human race, as well as to the saints of God, who show an example of spiritual service. Secondly, the history of the tradition teaches us to treat sensibly the events and facts of man's forgetting his God-chosen purpose, when, because of sins, the Lord allows trials to sober up humanity lulled by passions.