On August 10, the Orthodox Church celebrates the feast of the Smolensk Icon of the Mother of God, known as Hodegetria (the Guide). Today this icon is one of the most beloved and venerated by believers. As proof, a cross procession set off on August 8 from St. Nicholas church in Ridder.
After the Liturgy, the faithful gathered at the church and set off on the difficult road with banners and icons. Cross processions have always been the way believers publicly proclaim their faith and devotion to Christ.
30 kilometers from Ridder is the Klimovka resort, named after its founder — a well-known businessman and city council deputy, Vladimir Aleksandrovich Klimov. The resort is unique in that Vladimir Aleksandrovich built a small church on its grounds dedicated to the Smolensk Icon of the Mother of God. That is where the pilgrims went in procession.
On the first day they walked about 17 kilometers. By evening they found a small clearing and made camp. On the next day they continued, this time under pouring rain and hail.
Soaked to the bone, tired but happy, the pilgrims reached Klimovka. During dinner, dean Father Mitrofan (Tuzov) arrived in Klimovka with his guest from Semey, Father Aniketus. They held an evening service in the small church.
The Ridder residents were especially glad, since they rarely have a chance to attend a service led by the dean himself. Words of gratitude were also heard everywhere for Father John and Matushka Tatyana, who took part in the procession.
