On the day of commemoration of the Smolensk Icon of the Mother of God, August 10, 2026, after the Divine Liturgy in the Church of the Holy Passion-Bearers Boris and Gleb in Novogrudok, Archbishop Guriy of Novogrudok and Slonim led the annual general patriarchal procession to St. Eliseevsky Lavrishevsky Monastery.
This year, the three-day procession, which took place from August 10 to 12, is dedicated to the 25th anniversary of the revival of St. Eliseevsky Lavrishevsky Monastery.
The prayer procession was attended by Archpriest Dimitri Semukha, Secretary of the Novogrudok diocesan administration, Archpriest Anatoly Gerasimuk, dean of the Novogrudok Church District, Priest John Kisel, dean of the Dyatlovsky Church district, clergy of the Novogrudok diocese and numerous pilgrims.
Addressing the participants of the procession, Archbishop Guriy recalled the importance of the Cross of Christ as a symbol of Christ's victory over death and eternal life, and also noted that the procession is an important testimony of faith.
Sergei Charkovsky, Chairman of the Novogrudok District Executive Committee, and Svetlana Korolko, Chairman of the Novogrudok District Council of Deputies, joined the prayer procession. They greeted the archpastor and the participants and walked part of the way with them.
The route of the procession passes through the settlements of the Novogrudok district. Along the way, pilgrims visit Gorodechno, Ispos, Sulyatichi, Brolniki, Molnichi, Negnevichi, Shchorsy, Lozki and Lavrishevo. Prayer services are held at the crosses of worship, and divine services are held in temples along the route. On the second day, the participants will be joined by pilgrims traveling from Korelich.
The general patriarchal procession ended on August 12 at St. Eliseevsky Lavrishevsky Monastery in the village of Gnesichi.