Pilgrimage as a socio-cultural phenomenon on the example of major world religions (philosophical approach)

Abstract

The article examines pilgrimage tourism as a modern socio-cultural phenomenon on the example of major world religions. An attempt is made to explain and determine its features by drawing a parallel between religious (cultural) tourism and pilgrimage. It is determined that the basis of modern pilgrimage is an ancient religious tradition, which is becoming a global socio-cultural phenomenon against the background of the weakening role of world political ideologies. In addition, pilgrimage contributes to the expansion of modern intercivilizational contacts, making all corners of the planet accessible to pilgrimages, but it dramatically changes the nature of interpersonal communication and affects the spiritual mood of modern pilgrims. Various forms of modern pilgrimage, their features and manifestations in intercultural communication of believers during the period of their religious travels are also studied. On the other hand, it is determined that the current modern world dominant trends in end-to-end commercialization, which turn resources, national cultural and religious shrines into goods. Therefore, religious trips, although they have their own characteristics, but equally apply to the provision of traditional tourist services, as well as other tours, and pilgrimage becomes part of the tourism business. Considering pilgrimage as a socio-cultural phenomenon in world religions, special attention is paid to the organic combination of national and supranational, ie the practice of this ancient tradition, common to a particular denomination. To better understand the principles of formation of religious tourism flows, an analysis of the confessional delimitation of territorial religious systems on the example of Europe. Pilgrimage is defined as a promising type of tourism that can reach the international level, become a major attraction of both individual regions and the country as a whole, and play an important economic role in the development of a particular area. That is why modern pilgrimage needs development and popularization.