More than 40% of Russian residents visited holy places at least once in their lives

Moscow, January 19, 2015

According to the latest survey carried out by the All-Russian Center for the Study of Public Opinion, 41% of Russian residents at least once in their lives have visited holy sites, such as churches with saints’ relics, wonder-working icons as well as holy wells and other places, reports TASS.

According to the respondents, going on pilgrimages, they are prompted, first of all, by faith and a desire to become closer to God (51% of those asked). Others were impelled by grief, the need of help (8%) or urge to pray for forgiveness of their sins (7%). Some people in visiting holy places find an opportunity to broaden their horizons (16% of the respondents).

Orthodox Christians (47% of representatives of this population group) said they had made pilgrimage trips much more often than representatives of other religions (31%) and non-believers (19%).

The overwhelming majority of the respondents (94%) appreciated their pilgrimage experience positively.

Two thirds of the Russian residents (68%) and approximately 90% of those who have already been on pilgrimages are willing to go to holy sites in the future. 21% of the respondents say they would not go on a pilgrimage trip.

1,600 people from 46 Russian Federation’s constituent territories took part in the survey. The statistical error does not exceed 3.5%.