Program

Tuesday 13/5: Gathering at Larnaca airport and departure for Thessaloniki. Arrival at “Macedonia” airport and boarding the bus to Nea Michaniona. We worship at the Church of Panagia Faneromeni, stop for coffee with a view of the blue sea, but also the fish ladder which is one of the largest in Greece. Then we head to the Holy Monastery – Hermitage of Saint Arsenios Cappadocos in Halkidiki, which was established at the urging of Saint Paisios of Mount Athos in 1986. Saint Arsenios, one of the holiest figures of recent centuries, was a sponsor of Saint Paisios. After our pilgrimage we follow the Metamorphosis – Ouranoupoli route with stops for food and coffee, accordingly. Upon arriving at our destination, we will check into the hotel where we will spend the night. Usually, this is followed by afternoon coffee by the tower and the port of Ouranoupoli and a group dinner (optional).

Wednesday 14/5: After breakfast, we go to the Pilgrims' Office to collect our accommodation and tickets from the Athonite Lines. We board the FERRY at 0945 and depart for DAFNI. Upon arriving in Daphni, we will travel by taxi bus to make a pilgrimage to the MONASTERY OF THE GREAT LAVRAS, the first in the hierarchy among the twenty holy monasteries of Mount Athos. During the route, we will make a pilgrimage to the SKEET OF THE PROPHET ELIAS AND THE HOLY MONASTERY OF PANTOKRATOR. After arriving at our destination, the abbot of the Holy Monastery provides us with a room where we will spend the night and we follow the program of the Monastery. Arrangements are made for those who wish to confess. Usually, vespers, dinner, communion, veneration of the Holy relics, a gathering for a speech and a period of silence follow in order. In the afternoon, if possible, we can go on foot for a pilgrimage to both the cave-chapel of Saint Athanasius and the Holy Skete of the Holy Forerunner.

Thursday 15/5: After the Divine Liturgy and the meal at the Holy Monastery of Megisti Lavra, we board the taxi bus and go to the capital of Mount Athos, KARYES. During the route we make a stop for a pilgrimage at the HOLY MONASTERIES OF KARAKALOS AND PHILOTHEOS. In Karyes we have the opportunity to venerate the miraculous icon "WORTHY IS IT", the icon of the Virgin Mary "FOVERA PROTECTION" in the Holy Monastery of KOUTLOUMOUSIOU and the Holy Cara of the Apostle ANDREAS in the Holy Skete of the same name. After completing our pilgrimages, we will take the road to the Holy Monastery of VATOPEDIOU, where we will spend the night, following the program of the Monastery. The Holy Monastery of Vatopediou is the second in the hierarchical order of Mount Athos. Many Cypriot monks live here, under the abbot Elder Ephraim. We will have the opportunity to venerate, among other things, the holy caras of Saints Chrysostomos, Gregory and Eudokimos, the Holy Cross and the Holy Reed, miraculous icons of our Virgin Mary as well as Her Holy Belt.

Friday 16/5: After the Divine Liturgy and the table at the Monastery of Vatopaidi, we board the taxi bus and go to the Monastery of XENOPHONTOS, for the last night in the garden of our Virgin Mary. We follow the statutes of the Monastery. Here we have the opportunity to worship, among others, the Virgin Mary Hodegetria, Saint George to whom the monastery's catholicon is dedicated, and Saint Demetrius. From the Monastery of Xenophontos, we have the opportunity to go to the neighboring Monastery of DOCHIARIOU to worship the miraculous icon of the Virgin Mary of GORGOUPIKOU.

Saturday 17/5: After the Divine Liturgy and the table, from the harbor of the Monastery of Xenophontos, we will take the speedboat to go to Ouranoupoli. After arranging our things, we board the bus and set off for Thessaloniki. In between, we stop for lunch or coffee. Arriving in the capital and at the hotel where we will spend the night, we are assigned to rooms. This is followed by a walk around the city, specifically to the Church of Agios Dimitrios, to Aristotelous Square, and dinner, usually in Ladadika (optional).

Sunday 18/5: After breakfast and check out from the hotel, we will go for a pilgrimage to the Holy Monastery of Saint Ephraim Kontariotissa in Katerinis and then to Litochoro in Pieria for another pilgrimage to Saint Dionysios of Olympus. Then we will walk in the well-known and admirable Enipeas Gorge under the imposing peaks of the mythical Olympus. There will be time for coffee and a stroll through the picturesque streets of the city. Lunch, coffee or a walk on the beach of Paralia Katerini will follow. Finally, via the Athens - Thessaloniki National Road (at the height of the city of Katerini) and the ring road of the co-capital, we will arrive at Macedonia Airport for the return trip to Larnaca, with our suitcases full of beautiful memories and blessings from our Pilgrimage excursion.