MOTHER RUSSIA

We explore the symbols, the saints, and the story of Holy Russia - a land long rooted in a Christian tradition steeped in the prayer and piety both of holy men and women, in the many venerable icons and ancient liturgies. Our journey will take us to the two greatest cities of Russia, to witness and to learn truly how the spirituality of the Russian Church has helped it be "its own perpetual resurrection", despite the pressures of the country's turbulent history.

ANCIENT CITIES AND VENERABLE MONASTERIES

Our journey takes us to ancient Novgorod, centre of its own historic Icon School, and the beautiful streets of St Petersburg, with a wide range of churches, from the newly restored Church of the Spilled Blood to St Isaac's Cathedral, with its dome that dominates the city. We will also visit the famous Alexander Nevsky Monastery and the world-renowned Hermitage Gallery.

MOSCOW AND ITS CHURCHES

We visit the most important churches of Moscow: the history-laden Novodevichi Monastery, the modern fully restored Danilov Monastery, the beautiful cathedrals of the Moscow Kremlin, the architecture of St Basil's in Red Square, and the great modern reconstruction of the Church of Christ the Saviour. Our stay culminates with visits to the magnificent icon collection of the Tretyakov Gallery and the St Sergius - Holy Trinity Lavra in Sergiyev Posad (former Zagorsk).

ORTHODOX ART & MYSTICISM

Hand-outs of background information and relevant talks will be included, so that as we journey, rather than simply being religious spectators wanting to admire exotic forms of art and mysticism, we may broaden and deepen our own faith as western Christians.