When traveling to a place that is rich with spiritual heritage, or suspected to be, how does one begin to know where to go?
Back when I lived around the corner from Marrakesh Restaurant, my eldest brother teased that to find the cool neighborhood in any city, you simply locate the Moroccan restaurant. I apply this technique all the time; searching for an anchor to get into the vicinity of the thing I really want to find. People have always relied on certain patterns and clues to navigate the world.
So, returning to the question—how do you figure out where to go on pilgrimage?
Lives of Saints
It’s through reading the words of St Paul that one longs to follow in the footsteps of his journeys to Ephesus, Corinth, Athens, Thessaloniki, Veraia, Colossae, and Rome. It’s through praying the Akathist of St Xenia that one begins to imagine visiting her grave at the Smolensk Cemetery in St Petersburg. Commemorating St Demetrios’ faith and courage and the miracle of his myrrh-flowing relics inspires one to come and see and venerate and smell. The saints’ lives state in plain language where to go.
Books, journals (and also websites)
There’s more than enough here to get you started:
Road to Emmaus journal seems to have at least one issue exploring Orthodox life in any place you may wish to go. Many full articles are available as PDFs and back issues are available for purchase. I’m currently reading this interview in preparation for our pilgrimage to Germany & Switzerland.
Greece - Evlogeite! by Mother Nectaria Mclees. This comprehensive volume showcases the same vivid storytelling and attention to detail that Mother Nectaria pours into each issue of Road to Emmaus.
Jerusalem - A Pilgrim’s Guide to the Holy Land by Holy Nativity Convent. See this website for a list of common sites with photos.
Ireland - Early Irish Saints by John J O’Riordan and The Holy Wells of Ireland by Patrick Logan
England - Sacred North by Fr John Musher and England’s Thousand Best Churches by Simon Jenkins
We enjoyed Paul Kingsnorth’s holy wells series and now his pilgrimage series at The Abbey of Misrule.
Recommending a website feels like recommending a rabbit hole, but our internet searches often lead us to these:
Pilgrimage photos, lives of contemporary elders and saints, and canonization announcements on OrthoChristian.com
Lives of saints, miracles, and monasteries on John Sanidopoulos’ Mystagogy Resource Center.
Once you’ve locked in on a particular site, it pays off to do a quick internet search. After a friend told me about a London church dedicated to St Etheldreda at Ely Place, I found a London office worker’s blog about her visit, including a tip to knock on the office door to ask about venerating the relics. Though the small and ornate reliquary sits empty in the church, the actual relics are kept locked away unless requested.
People who’ve been before
A friend of a friend just got back? A social media friend just posted a page of their illustrated travel journal? Invite them for tea or a phone call to ask about their trip. Most travelers will be grateful for this opportunity to process and reflect on the experience. Don’t worry if they stayed in nicer hotels or ate at fancier restaurants. Instead watch for the hints about a free parking lot .5 km beyond the advertised one, or an enthusiastic report about a local museum you weren’t considering.
In-country museums
Speaking of museums, a visit to key museums in the capital may give you additional background and clues for your ensuing adventure. Look for a natural history museum, national museum, or national museum of art. You may find an exhibit on early Christian artifacts along with the stories of where they were found and the “legends” of the Christian ascetics associated with them. If you give yourself 1-2 nights in your “port of entry” city, you will glean wisdom from both the local people and museums that will make the rest of your explorations more productive.
Local people
Talk to people while waiting for a bus or boat. Find a monastery or parish. Attend a local liturgy. Ask a parishioner or clergyman to ask them to tell you the story of their parish, a local saint, or a place of pilgrimage they recommend. Chat with baristas and waiters. Ask shopkeepers for recommendations on how to get to your next destination. Of course, use discernment about how openly to share your plans and be sensitive to your travel companions’ comfort level too. But prepare your heart to encounter angels who bless you with unexpected tips and sometimes even offer to travel with you.
I’m off to find a Moroccan restaurant…
Many years!
Beauty First Films was established six years ago this week, with a donation from our very first visionary donor. We are creating resources, opportunities, and yes, films, that bring more and more people to the life-changing experience of pilgrimage.
There’s still space to join us in Germany & Switzerland May 26 - June 7. Please take a look at the itinerary to see where we’re headed. This could be your chance in a lifetime trip. Please prayerfully consider coming with us.
Our City as Liturgy weekend tour in Washington DC is coming up in two weeks, March 29 & 30. We’re excited about the group that has formed and we’d be glad to add a few more—check it out. We’re also excited that it’s going to be peak cherry blossom season while we’re there.
Three upcoming screenings
Potomac, Maryland - Saturday, March 15th. The parish of Sts Peter & Paul invites you for the screening, plus potluck dinner, and popcorn.
Washington DC - Friday, March 28th. On the eve of our City as Liturgy series we’ll present our film at St Sophia Greek Orthodox Cathedral. This screening will take place after the Salutations service that starts at 6:30p.
Salt Lake City, Utah - Wednesday, April 30th at Cinemark Salt Lake 16 & XD. The show starts at 7p. Ticket info forthcoming.