hunterV Says: Father Sergius, the cathedral dean, took us around the church and told us its story.Three years ago a myrrh-streaming icon appeared in the church.It is the Icon of the Most Holy Mother of God “Axion Estin” (“It is Truly Meet”).This icon's feast day is on June 11.As Father...
Church Courtyard: Pilgrims' Lunch
hunterV Says: We were among more than 150 pilgrims who were treated to traditional lunch after the liturgy on the Feast Day of St.John the Evangelist in the yard of the church bearing the name of the Great Disciple. Golden soup, porridge, fish soup
School Street Hotel: Tranquil and Safe
hunterV Says: The nightlife in this khutor is limited to - eating and drinking at home or at your friends';- listening to music at home;- watching TV with your local friends; - star watching outside;- sitting on the bench that many houses have at their entrance.We went outside and sat on...
hunterV Says: The only reliable connection to this village used to be a local train from Luhansk.The train is called Communarsk - Luhansk - 122nd km.As of August 15, 2011, the train to Yelan has been cancelled...This is what we had before:It departs at 8.20 a.m. from the railway station...
Railway Station Market: At the Market
hunterV Says: The railway station market is open from 11 a.m. to noon when the train to Luhansk departs.The passengers who arrive from Luhansk and those who depart to Luhansk can do some shopping there.Although it is Russia, you can pay with Ukrainian hryvnias here. Milk, cottage cheese,...
hunterV Says: The local church celebrates the Feast Day of St.John the Evangelist on October 9, on the day when the Great Disciple passed away.St.John the Evangelist is revered here as the Disciple of Love.On the eve of the Feast Day, on October 8, there is an evening liturgy starting at...
hunterV Says: Lots of people like gathering wild mushrooms. They call it silent hunting.We have never seen any silent hunter on our way to Yelan and back from it because the silent hunting is done in the forest located on the other side of the railway.But last time a strange thing...
hunterV Says: When you find out there is a pond here, you will feel like bathing, especially on a hot summer day.We went to the pond in the afternoon and saw there were very few people bathing there: only some seasonal residents who have datchas there. They didn't seem to care about the...
hunterV Says: I had two bags with me with all the stuff I needed. The soil is sandy, so tennis shoes are OK here. Take whatever you might need with you, do not leave anything behind.It's a very rural area of Russia and you might not be able to buy what you need here.Toilet paper is a...
hunterV Says: During our second pilgrimage we also paid a visit to the former Elder Philip's House at 19 School Street.The villagers say Elder Philip used to come to the village quite often. He was offered that house to stay in when he had a longer stay in Yelan.The house dates back to...
hunterV Says: Why not take a walk along the main street and to the surrounding hills?It's so nice to enjoy the quiet morning atmosphere...Get ready to take tons of nice pictures or videos of the cattle on the pasture or of a pheasant flying out of her nest. good walking shoes and a great...
hunterV Says: There are two gas pipes on the territory of Yelan, but no gas in the village itself.The villages have to make reserves of firewood and coal for the cold winter.There is a gas deposit not far from Yelan. Tarassovsky County is well-known for its gas reserves.There are only...
Plan a Yelan' vacation with reviews, tips and photos posted by real travelers and Yelan' locals

One hot sunny day a lightning struck a pine-tree and as a result there was a huge fire.Pine-trees caught fire and burnt like candles...Now the forest around the...
Our members can help!
1
In the Footsteps of Elder Philip

My friend Gregory and I revere our local saint Philip of Luhansk. We are parishioners of the Chapel of Philip of Luhansk. Gregory used to visit Elder Philip of Luhansk at his home since 1936 and...
Build your own Yelan' page