The gymnasts and their coaches visited the the Chapel of Blessed Xenia of St. Petersburg at the Smolenskoye Cemetery

Before departing for the World Championships, our gymnasts and coaches visited a special place possessed of unique power.

It is one of the most revered holy sites in St. Petersburg — the Chapel of Blessed Xenia of St. Petersburg at the Smolenskoye Cemetery.

Archpriest Evgeni Shogenov, the rector of the parish of the churches at the Smolenskoye Cemetery, had a prayer service at the shrine holding the saint's holy relics. Father Evgeny blessed the gymnasts with icons of Saint Xenia of St. Petersburg and addressed them with words of encouragement.