Krestny khod
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Krestny khod (Russian: Крестный ход) is a solemn religious procession in the tradition of Russian Orthodoxy carried out on holidays and various special occasions.
The procession is headed by clergy. A large Holy Cross (hence the name), religious banners (khorugvs) and icons are carried in front of it and in other places.
The procession may start is a church, encircles the church, and then the congregation re-enters the churrh. Alternatively, it may start in one church and end in another one. Other possible routes:
- when a new or sanctified icon is delivered to the church
- from a church to a river, for sanctification of water
- from the burial place of a martyr to a church in his name
- from a church to a field as a part of ceremony of praying for rain
[edit] Miscellanea
During April 2, 2006 — July 18, 2006 an international krestny khod was carried out across Transnistria, Ukraine, Belarus, and Russia.[1]
