Within a week, about half a million pilgrims kneeled in front of the Holy Gifts of the Magi which were transferred to Russia by the Abbot of St. Paul’s monastery, archimandrite Parthenios. Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and all Russia, placed the Holy Gifts at the centre of the Cathedral in Moscow, during the Christmas Liturgy.
According to sources, more than 400,000 people kneeled in front of the Holy Gifts in Moscow. At the same time, more than 20,000 pilgrims were standing in line, waiting for up to 10 hours just to kneel in front of the Gifts.
It is worth mentioning that outside the Cathedral you could find volunteers, special vehicles for hot tea, military stuff and ambulances 24 hours a day.
“I kneeled in front of the Gifts and asked from the Lord to give everyone the gift of health,” mentioned a pilgrim. He also added, “I have been standing in the line for about seven hours now. However, it seems to me like one minute.”
Last but not least, long lines of pilgrims were also formed in St. Petersburg, where the Holy Gifts were transferred yesterday from Mount Athos, Greece. The Holy Gifts will remain in Novodevichy Monastery until Friday, January 17.
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