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MOSCOW, February 19 (RIA Novosti) – Russia needs legislation to separate pilgrimage from tourism, the head of the pilgrimage center of the Moscow patriarchy said on Tuesday.
“Pilgrimage and tourism are incomparable. They cannot be mixed, but are not separated by law. Only religious organizations should be involved in pilgrimage activities,” Hieromonk Nikodim (Kolesnikov) said, adding that the Russian Orthodox Church is working to draft amendments to the law on tourism.
“By law, religious organizations have no right to organize tours [for pilgrims], so the legislation has to be amended,” his said.
According to him, tax benefits are needed to develop pilgrimage tourism, and only believers and theology teachers or students can work as tour guides.
“Some people go to pray and others go sightseeing. They do not feel comfortable together,” Hieromonk Nikodim said.
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I'm not Orthodox or Russian. I'm clearly missing something in regards to the desire to separate the tourists from the pilgrims, but it seems to me that having them mix would be an incredible opportunity for evangelism.
ReplyDeleteOr a way of ensuring that the Church gets the money for pilgrims.
DeleteAhh, I wasn't thinking about the money. In my naivety, I assumed that the Church would receive the monies from both the tourists and pilgrims that were visiting church properties. I knew I was missing something.
DeleteI could see some advantages, such as the pilgrim tours actually be designed around the service schedules as opposed to visiting a church for 5 minutes and being talked to the whole time you are there. Things like that. Plus, church run pilgrimage tours might include visiting places regular tourists aren't allowed.
ReplyDeleteI think it makes sense. Many countries around the world offer visas and pilgrimages are handled by a religious department. It helps better understand tourism, and who is coming for what reasons. Also why shouldn't the church benefit from these pilgrims?
DeleteI know if I was going to Russia to see holy sites I would not want to be filed in and out like cattle. I also would want to be able to take time to pray and maybe attend Liturgy. Also I could care less for some of the places tourist groups go. ie bars and such.