the trip is becoming a reality
As time goes on, the realization that I am going to Russia begins to sink in. It becomes more of a reality & less an abstract concept. This morning I suddenly has a huge revelation of this when I checked my email: our host sent us a tentative schedule, in greater detail, which I have posted here...
Tues. Sept. 4th - Arrival
If anyone needs cassocks, stiharions or other tailored church stuff - same day we need to go and order everything; shops stay open until 7 PM
Wed. Sept. 5th
Morning - Moscow sightseeing
Evening - Trinity-St. Sergius Lavra
We should be there by 6 PM - for famous beautiful akathist to St. Sergius, sung by Lavra choir.
Dinner at S____ and M____'s afterwards.
Thurs. Sept. 6th
6 AM - beautiful Znamenniy chant liturgy at Lavra
Lavra sightseeing afterwards, coming back to Moscow by night.
Fri Sept 7th
Moscow all day
Sat. Sept 8th
9 AM - Singing liturgy at my home parish. Dining with Fr. Ioann (my spiritual father) afterwards.
5 PM - Singing Vigil, same place
7 PM Dinner at restaurant.
Sun. Sept 9th.
9 AM - morning liturgy at Rogachevo village
With the Blessing of Fr. Mihail, rector, A________ P________ (aka grill_maestro) will conduct for liturgy and moleben
after.
Midday
Dining at church
5 PM till night
DACHA OPEN HOUSE.
Mon. Sept 10th.
9 AM
Morning leave for Nizniy Novgorod.
On our way stopping at city of Vladimir, St. Andrew Bogolyubskiy monastery, famous Church of the Intercession on the Nerl.
11 PM
Arriving in Nizhniy Novgorod.
Tue. Sept. 11th
Nizhniy Novgorod all day (including St. Macarius Monastery)
Wed. Sept 12th.
8 AM
Liturgy at St. Alexander Nevsky Cathedral for the Patronal Feast.
6 PM
Leaving for Diveevo
Thurs. Sept 13th.
9 AM
Liturgy at Diveevo
Dinner after, then Holy Springs, all Shrines of Diveevo.
6 PM
Leaving for Moscow
12 PM arriving at Dacha
Fri Sept. 14th
Morning leave for SVO Airport
As one can see, he put a lot of time & consideration in planning. Unfortunately, it looks like there won't be time for Optina, but on the upside, looks like we'll be stopping in Vladimir for a few hours- not too bad. If I wasn't psyched for this trip before, I definitely am now!