Pilgrimage to Optina Monastery

Time: 8-12 th of September 2010. Duration: 6 days and 5 nights.                         

Route: Helsinki - Vainikkala - Moscow - Kaluga - Kozelsk / Optina -  Moscow - Helsinki.

Price: 520 e/person.

• train tickets from Helsinki to Moscow and back in the cabins for 4 persons. (extra fee for double 60 euros/one way/person.)                                              
• accommodation in the Monastery Hotel 3 nights in the rooms for 2 - 4 persons,
• breakfast in Moscow, meals in monasteries,
• convent of Our lady of  Kazan in Kaluga, miracule making icon of Our Lady of  Kaluga,
• Optina Monastery and the holy places of the monastery
• churches of Our lady of Kazan and Vladimir icons,
• convent of Samardino,
• cathedral of Saviour in Moscow,
• trasfers by an own coach, 
• spiritual tour leader and local guides                               

 Other costs:  visa support 10 euro/person.    

Itenerary

Wednesday 8th of September 2010

We will meet at the railway station in Helsinki at 18.00. The Tolstoi train from Helsinki to Moscow departs at 18.23. Train will stop at the following stations: Pasila at 18.29, Tikkurila at 18.40, Lahti at 19.33, Kouvola at 20.14 and Vainikkala at 21.34. Money Exhange is possible in the train between Kouvola and Vainikkala. There is a restaurant car in the train and tea is sold in the cars.  

Thursday 9th of September 2010

We will arrive in Moscow at 8.25. Breakfast. After the breakfast we will get to know the Cathedral of the Saviour and start to Optina. On the way there we will stop in the city of Kaluga where we are going to see the convent. We will continue to the monasteries of Kozelski and Optina. There we will have accommodation and dinner. Evening vesper at 17.00.

Friday 10th of September 2010

Early liturgy at 6.00 to 9.00. Breakfast. Guided tour in the monastery. We are going to honour the saints of Optina, get to know the churches and monastery. In the afternoon we will visit the convent of  Shamardino which is located nearby. Return to Optina where is evening vesper and dinner. 

Saturday 11th of September 2010

Morning service and breakfast. After that we will have some free time in the monastery. In the afternoon we will drive back to Moscow. The Tolstoi train to Helsinki leaves at 22.50

Sunday 12th of September 2010

We will arrive in Helsinki. The train stops are: Vainikkala at 9.05, Kouvola at 10.08, Lahti at 10.49, Tikkurila at 11.43, Pasila at 11.54 and Helsinki at 12.00.