Other events in Baltic States

Today, around 90 pilgrims from Riga St. Jacob's Cathedral will start their traditional procession to Aglona Basilica, as LETA learned from priest Ilmars Tolstovs.

It is planned that pilgrims will complete the 320-kilometers long distance in 13 days, crossing Riga, Ogre, Aizkraukle, Jekabpils and Daugavpils Districts on their way.

From the church, the pilgrims will walk to 11.Novembra Embankment in Riga, by the end of the first day it is planned to reach Dole Island. Pilgrims will sleep in tents in house yards, whose owners have agreed to cooperate.

On their way to Aglona, pilgrims' daily activities will include prayers, praise songs to God, quiet time for reflection, lectures and small groups' activities. Also this year, as usually, the transport, carrying pilgrims' tents and personal belongings, will be provided by Saeima Security Service. Some of the pilgrims will accompany the rest of the group as the technical personnel – driving the vehicles and preparing food for all the group.

The pilgrims plan to arrive in Aglona on August 13, on time for the 4th Latvian Youth Days opening church service at 12pm.

Also from other parishes, for example, Riga Holy Trinity parish and Riga St. Albert's parish, organized groups of pilgrims will go on the pilgrimage to Aglona.

Latvian Youth Days in Aglona will be an ecumenical event, open not only for Catholics, but people from all churches and faiths. The statement, chosen as the theme for Latvian Youth Days will be the same as for the World Youth Days, which recently took place in Sydney, Australia, it is "You will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you will be my witnesses" (Acts 1:8)

Pilgrimages from Riga to Aglona will be organized for the 19th time.