On June 6, 2026, on the day of the feast of Pentecost, solemn divine services and events dedicated to the XXVII Great Volga Procession took place at the source of the Volga.
After the Liturgy, a solemn procession took place from the Transfiguration Church to the chapel at the source of the Volga. At the chapel, Metropolitan Ambrose, together with the bishops of the Tver Metropolia, performed the rite of minor consecration of the waters of the river's source, after which he sprinkled the faithful and guests of the feast with consecrated water.
The source of the Volga River is one of the iconic places of the Tver region, a center of attraction for pilgrims and tourists. For more than a quarter of a century, the consecration of the waters of the great Russian River has been held here annually.
The solemn part dedicated to the XXVII Great Volga Procession took place on the site at the gate to the chapel. Metropolitan Ambrose addressed the participants of the celebration, emphasizing the spiritual significance of the source of the Volga River as a symbol of the beginning of good deeds, faith, service to his native land and responsibility for its future. His Eminence thanked Abbess Sofia and the sisters of the Olginsky Monastery for their prayerful labors and concern for the source of the Volga River, and also wished God's help to all those who work for the benefit of the Tver land.
The head of the region, V.G. Korolev, addressed the audience with a welcoming speech. A concert program was organized for the pilgrims and guests of the festival, and a field kitchen was open.
The first stage of the procession went to the village of Noviny. A moleben to all the Tver saints and an all-night vigil were held along the way. The shrines of the procession — an icon and an ark with relics — were carried by cadets of the Military Academy of Aerospace Defense named after Marshal of the Soviet Union G.K. Zhukov.
At the end of the first stage, Metropolitan Ambrose addressed the participants of the procession with a speech. His Eminence recalled that in 2026 the march is being held under the evangelical words: "Go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit." He called on the participants to preserve the Orthodox faith not as a museum relic, but as a living fire, which should manifest itself in actions, attitudes towards people and the example of their own lives.
His Eminence also thanked the clergy, the youth choir of the Tver Diocese, the crusaders and the cadets of the Military Academy of Aerospace Defense, who traditionally carry the shrines of the procession.
In 2026, the Great Volga Procession is dedicated to the theme "Go and teach all nations" (Matthew 28:19), chosen by the Tver Diocese as the spiritual landmark of the year. The procession is also associated with memorable dates: the 755th anniversary of the founding of the Tver Diocese, the first chronicle mention of St. Simeon, Bishop of Tver, and the 755th anniversary of the birth of the blessed Grand Duke Mikhail of Tver.
The XXVII Great Volga Procession passes through the cities, towns, monasteries and parishes of the Tver region and neighboring territories on an annual route. Among the key points are Ostashkov, Bogoroditsky Zhitenny Monastery, Nilova Pustyn, Peno, Selizharovo, Rzhev, Zubtsov, Staritsa, Tver, Voznesensky Orshin Monastery, Gorodnya-on-the-Volga, Konakovo, Dubna, Kimry, Bely Gorodok, Kashin, Kalyazin and the village of Selishche in the Kalyazinsky district.
The end of the procession will take place on June 20 in the village of Selishche, Kalyazinsky district.
One of the significant events will be the meeting of the Volga Procession in the Transfiguration Cathedral of Tver. On June 13, at 16:30, a procession will meet at the cathedral, and an all-night vigil will be held at 17:00. On June 14, at 9:00 a.m., the Divine Liturgy will be held in the Transfiguration Cathedral, followed by a procession from the river station at 2 p.m.
During the procession, believers will be able to worship shrines, including the icon of the Blessed Grand Duke Mikhail of Tver and St. Simeon, Bishop of Tver, the ark with the relics of Tver saints and the icon of the Cathedral of Tver Saints.
Divine Liturgies, prayer services, prayer processions, meetings of shrines, water prayer services, divine services in monasteries and parish churches, as well as commemorative and educational events are held as part of the procession.