Occitanie Section
Pessales Russian Orthodox Chapel - Sylvanes
Pessales Russian Orthodox Chapel
Pessales Russian Orthodox Chapel is nestled in the heart of the Forêt de Pessales on the road to the Château de Fayet near Sylvanès.
This lovely wooden chapel is next door to the Prieuré des Granges, however, it is a bit difficult to find!
Indeed, you have to park your car in the woods and walk the last couple of 100m.
However, keep in mind that Pessales Russian Orthodox Chapel is a spiritual retreat.
It was founded some twenty years ago in two restored barns dating from the 12th and 13th centuries.
From Moscow to Sylvanès
Pessales Russian Orthodox Chapel has a lovely story attached to its origin.
Its construction was indeed part of a humanitarian project of reconciliation of people and religions set up by the priest in charge of the rehabilitation of Sylvanès and in association with the mayor of the village.
Indeed, craftsmen and farmers from Khiov, a city located 700km east of Moscow, built it in Russia during the winter of 1993-94.
Once built, the chapel was dismantled log by log.
It was then sent to Millau railway station by train (the French railway company SNCF sponsored the transport), then trucked to Sylvanès.
The young Russians who built it in Russia were invited to spend six months in France in order to rebuild it.
The humble Pessales Russian Orthodox Chapel is 27m and has an area of 300m².
It was built according to the old Russian traditions, and is therefore beautifully decorated with ancient icons.
One room is dedicated to prayer and worship.
A second room is dedicated to the traditional meal shared among the worshipers after the service.
Finally, the third room is a common area where people meet and relax.
The quietude of the place leads to meditation and prayer.
Department of Aveyron - Pessales
Coordinates:Lat 43.822913 - Long 2.969386
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