Orthodox pilgrimages from Tallinn since 1999

This was my 3rd pilgrim trip organized by Andcross https://www.andcross.ee in 7 years. I’ve been to the local holy sites, but this year, I decided to make a long journey to the Valaam Monastery. The entire group was well prepared by the organizers: starting with the prayers we need to read and ending with the weather forecast and recommendations on what clothes to put on. There was a priest with us on that trip. We talked a lot about the places we are going to and about Orthodoxy in general. The priest was a very educated and down-to-earth person. We also watched a video about the monastery. So, not a single second was wasted on the road. When we arrived at our destination, we already knew a lot. Valaam simply stunned me with its energy. You can feel an incredible power there. It’s hard to describe this but it needs to be felt. During our visit, we saw every corner of the monastery, attended the services, and had a chance to confess and talk with the monks. The people there are strong, as is the place itself. There are many miraculous shrines in the monastery. When standing in front of them, I asked the Lord to help me deal with my problems and the hardships of my loved ones. I think that’s what most pilgrims come for – to ask for God’s mercy. Now I regret that I haven’t visited this holy site earlier and I intend to come back. Victor –

I’ve been on a pilgrim trip to the holy sites of Georgia and I feel like writing a review so that people know what a grace it is and that they also do it. There’s no need to be afraid of long trips. Since it’s a God-pleasing matter, Our Lord will help everyone, even people with poor health. The main thing is a reliable trip organizer. In my case, it was Andcross https://www.andcross.ee I knew the entire route, the schedule, and the places where we were going to stay in advance. By the way, we were accompanied by an Orthodox priest, not just a tour guide. We stayed in Georgia for 10 days. During this time, we visited ancient shrines that are hundreds or even thousands of years old. After all, Georgia was one of the first countries to adopt Christianity. It was in the 1st century! And it was Andrew the Apostle who converted the locals to faith. Can you imagine the power of history and traditions there?! That is why I chose Georgia and recommend this country to other believers. The number of Christian relics in Georgia is uncountable. We visited the churches where the Seamless Robe of Jesus Christ and the image of the Most Holy Theotokos are kept. Our trip wasn’t for tourism but we enjoyed the nature of the Caucasus as well. We’ve seen amazing places. I’ve never seen anything like this in my life: steeps, valleys, rocks, and fast rivers. It was so beautiful. And the weather was excellent every day. Sunny and warm. It’s like I’ve gotten a second breath after this trip. I started to feel happy, communicate with people, work, and just live! I recommend it to everyone and want to thank every person who makes such unforgettable trips possible! Larisa –

I’ve recently visited the Pyukhtitsky Assumption Monastery and I want to tell you about it. The trip was organized by the Andcross Spiritual and Ecclesiastic center https://www.andcross.ee It was a tour with a group of strangers. Before the trip, everyone got instructions on what and how to do, what to take for this trip, and how to tune in. Some people weren’t new to such things, but for me, this information was very valuable. On the way, we were also instructed, listened to chants, and watched a religious video. The mood they created was right and relevant. The monastery is also famous because John of Kronstadt visited it many times and took care of it. The Icon of the Assumption of Mother of God can be seen there. The monastery has given it to John of Kronstadt, and then he returned the icon to the monastery. I kissed this icon and prayed fervently in front of it. I bathed in the holy spring. It’s known for its countless miracles. They say that the blind were able to see again and the paralyzed began to walk after bathing in it. We just need to believe in Our Lord and His help, and everything will be possible. I can’t say that the trip helped me to get rid of any physical illness but I felt so much easier when I came back home. The recent heaviness was gone, instead there appeared some kind of enlightenment. If someone doubts whether to go to the Pyukhtitsky monastery, I will say that it’s a must. Go there with pure thoughts and good intentions. Thank the Almighty and the saints, and the healing will come. Julia –

For the first time in my life, I decided to go on a pilgrim trip. I’ve got a lot to carry on my shoulders in the last couple of years. Problems with my property, my health, and my money. These difficulties were like an avalanche. And gradually, I began to realize that praying in the church was not enough for me and I had to visit holy sites and ask for the Lord’s mercy there. I found the website of the Andcross pilgrim center https://www.andcross.ee on the Internet. They offer many different trips. So I chose to go to the Pyukhtitsky Monastery. I’ve heard about it before, but, sadly, had no idea what it was famous for It turned out it’s known for numerous cases of salvation and healing. The famous John of Kronstadt was connected with that monastery. The monastery has тhere’s also a miraculous Icon of the Mother of God. The spring named after the Mother of God helped the disabled, deaf, and blind people. They were again able to walk, hear, and speak. All this became a revelation for me! I prayed and kissed the icon. I bathed in the holy spring, although I’ve always been afraid of entering cold water. I didn’t need to sit during the service, although I used to sit down quite often because of my joints. But this time, everything was easy for me. After this trip, I felt like something new appeared inside me, something has been discovered. Something bright, light, and kind. I want to thank everyone who helped me and my fellow travelers during this trip! Ludmila –

I want to share my impressions of the trip to Lohusuu. There is the Epiphany Orthodox Church. And the beautiful Lake Peipsi. The local church was built at the end of the 19th century – an old building erected by the masters from the Tsardom of Russia. We learned a lot of interesting things about the history of this church. It turns out that in the 19th century, the locals began to worship the stone, which they considered miraculous. To end this paganism, the decision was made to build a church. At first, it was wooden. Later, a stone church was erected. The money for construction was given by a merchant from St. Petersburg. And that so-called miraculous stone was drowned in the swamp. We reached Lake Peipsi from the church in about 10 minutes. There was a stunning view there. And the weather was good: it was a sunny, dry, and warm day, but it wasn’t hot. Everything is clean. And the air… it’s so easy to breathe there. And you can’t get enough of this air and the surrounding beauty. We ate freshly caught fish from the lake – it was delicious! We also had a chat with the local priest. He is a very easy-going person: he explains everything about religion in an easy and understandable manner. I want to thank the Andcross Pilgrim Center https://www.andcross.ee for the opportunity to visit such a blissful trip. Everything became possible thanks to them. I definitely wouldn’t have gone on such a trip alone. But with them, everything was perfectly organized. Svetlana –

This review, perhaps, is about the most significant event in my life. Of course, not to mention my wedding and the birth of my children. I talk about my pilgrim trip to the Holy Land in Israel. I won’t be telling you that it was easy and cheap – not at all. But I’m an avid pilgrim. I’ve been traveling to the holy sites of our region since 2008. And these trips are always with the Andcross Spiritual and Ecclesiastic center https://www.andcross.ee Some of my fellow travelers have become like family to me. And all this time, I was getting ready for the main pilgrim trip that a Christian can go on. Although it was a long journey, it went smoothly and as planned. Because everything was planned – orders and payments have been made. Overall, no stress. Accommodation, transport, meals – the organizers took care of everything. And we, the travelers, had nothing to do but to think about the salvation of our souls, pray and thank Our Lord for bringing us to the Holy Land. We were able to worship shrines that are 2,000 years old. The emotions are indescribable. When you walk on the same ground that Jesus used to walk or when you touch what he touched. Or you bathe in the Jordan River with the water in which He was baptized. I want to tell you that I went to the Holy Land being mentally and physically ill. But I had a belief that the trip would help me in solving my problems. And you know, I really felt a lot better. Someone may think that this is self-deceptiveness. And we, the Orthodox, know that this is Our Lord who helps us, sinners. Many thanks to the organizers of this trip! Elena –