Parishioners and clergy of the three churches of the Lazarevsky deanery — St. Simon the Canaanite (P. Loo), Blessed Xenia of St. Petersburg (P. Vardane) and Holy Martyr Joseph of Astrakhan (P. Soviet-Khaje) — made a joint hike in the Caucasus Mountains. The event was attended by 35 people — adults and children.
The route passed through the rocky Maikop pass and alpine meadows to Lake Psenodakh and the top of Mount Pshekhosu, which offered beautiful views of the glaciers and gorges of the Fisht-Oshten massif. Nature, created by God, has left an indelible impression on travelers.
But the most important thing for each participant of the campaign was real fraternal unity. On the steep ascents, the parishioners helped each other: they shook hands with the tired, treated them to water from one flask, and helped them carry heavy backpacks. At the tea break, the priests and laity had a heart-to-heart conversation, got to know each other, and shared their personal experiences.
This trip reminded us that the Church is not only worship services in the temple, but also a lively community of people. The common difficulties, the joy of conquering the peak and the beauty around them brought the participants together. Everyone returned home in a good mood and with a feeling of true Christian love.