From October 23 to 25, the IV International Forum "The Role of Creative Industries in the Socioeconomic Development of Tourist Destinations, Including Those Participating in the UNESCO Creative Cities Network" was held in St. Petersburg.

Representatives of federal executive bodies of the Russian Federation and international experts in culture and tourism overseeing cooperation with UNESCO, the Russian Orthodox Church, and public organizations participated in the forum.

Abbess Margarita (Feoktistova), Abbess of the Novodevichy Stavropegic Convent in Moscow, participated in the thematic section "Spiritual and Educational Tourism as a Strategic Resource for Territories: Effective Models of State-Religious Partnerships in Infrastructure Development, Heritage Preservation, and the Creation of Sustainable Tourism Products." She presented a paper entitled "UNESCO World Heritage Sites as Anchor Points of National Tourist Routes and Their Role in the Integrated Development of Russian Regions." The "Great Russian Northern Route" project—an example of effective interdepartmental cooperation and a factor in sustainable tourism—presented the unique church-state project "Great Russian Northern Route," implemented in accordance with the Plan of Key Events for the Preparation and Celebration of the 500th Anniversary of the Novodevichy Convent in Moscow, as well as in fulfillment of several instructions from the Government of the Russian Federation and the organizing committee for the preparation and celebration of the anniversary.

As a historical, cultural, and pilgrimage route, the "Great Russian Northern Route" traverses the territory of 15 dioceses of the Russian Orthodox Church and includes visits to churches, monasteries, and holy sites associated with the history of Russian Orthodoxy.

Its length is over 5,000 km (from Moscow, from the Novodevichy Convent, to the Solovetsky Islands, with a return trip to Moscow). Due to the route's extensive length, its development took into account the possibility for travelers and pilgrims to complete the entire route in sections, returning again and again to the final destination of their previous journey, gradually completing the entire journey.

The route passes through 12 Russian regions (Moscow, St. Petersburg, Moscow, Vladimir, Yaroslavl, Vologda, Arkhangelsk, Leningrad, Novgorod, Pskov, Tver Oblasts, and the Republic of Karelia) and 12 specially protected natural areas—national parks and nature reserves—that are well-known, popular with tourists, and attract large numbers of visitors.

The Great Russian Northern Route includes 15 UNESCO World Heritage Sites, most of which are Orthodox religious sites, and three cities designated as UNESCO Creative Cities. Recognizable to both Russian and international tourists, these sites attract large numbers of visitors. They serve as focal points and driving forces for regional development. Local residents permanently residing in regions bordering World Heritage sites are gaining new jobs in the tourism industry and sharing their cultural traditions with tourists and pilgrims.

The joint implementation of the "Great Russian Northern Route" project has become an example of effective collaboration between the state and the Russian Orthodox Church and is destined to become a creative force in the development of other unique church-state projects.

During a meeting with representatives of the Russian Orthodox Church, St. Petersburg Governor A.D. Beglov discussed the progress of the "Great Russian Northern Route" pilgrimage and tourism project and praised their collaboration. He noted, "The development of all these areas will mark a new stage in the cooperation between the Church and the city. We see how faith, culture, and history can work for the benefit of society. Today, they are crucial for strengthening national unity and providing spiritual guidance for new generations. St. Petersburg has always been a custodian of traditions and a center of culture. This was the case three centuries ago, and it remains so today." The meeting with the Governor of St. Petersburg was attended by Metropolitan Matthew of Pskov and Porkhov, Archbishop Savva of Zelenograd, Vicar of His Holiness Patriarch Savva of Moscow and All Rus', Abbot of the Holy Trinity Alexander Nevsky Lavra, Vicar of the St. Petersburg Diocese, Bishop Veniamin of Kronstadt, and Abbess Margarita (Feoktistova), of the Moscow Novodevichy Stavropegic Convent in Moscow.