Maria Menounos’ close relationship with faith has been well known and openly expressed for many years. Not only does she frequently visit the Monastery of Saint Nectarios in Aegina, but it was also there that she had her daughter, Athena, baptized.
In a post she shared on Instagram from a pilgrimage she made to the Church of Panagia Evangelistria in Tinos with her daughter, she wrote: “Some of the most sacred moments of my life have been lived in Greece.”
“I truly believe in his miracles (referring to Saint Nectarios), and I’ve witnessed them throughout my own journey. (If you haven’t seen ‘Man of God’, I highly recommend it. It’s a beautiful way to learn about his incredible life!). But this year, I felt called to Tinos. My mom named me after Panagia, and I’ve always felt her protection throughout my life. Since becoming a mother, that connection has only deepened. Every night in my prayers, I ask her to protect Athena and to guide me toward what she needs,” Maria Menounos explained regarding her decision to make the pilgrimage to Tinos.
Describing her emotions, Menounos wrote: “Walking into that church with Athena was something I’ll never forget. I prayed that same love and protection would surround her every step of her life. I prayed for our family and friends. The moment I walked inside, I was overcome with emotion. I’ve rarely felt that much love in one place.”
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Some of the holiest moments of my life have happened in Greece.
For the last few years, I’ve made pilgrimages to Saint Nektarios in Aegina, where I was blessed to hear Saint Nektarios knock in his tomb.
My connection with him only grew stronger. It became so meaningful that we baptized Athena at our Saint Nektarios church in West Covina. I truly believe in his miracles, and I’ve witnessed them throughout my own journey. (If you haven’t seen ‘Man of God’, I highly recommend it. It’s a beautiful way to learn about his incredible life!)
But this year, I felt called to Tinos.
My mom named me after Panagia, and I’ve always felt her protection throughout my life. Since becoming a mother, that connection has only deepened. Every night in my prayers, I ask her to protect Athena and to guide me toward what she needs. And somehow… I always feel that guidance. Sometimes I’ll say something to Athena or instinctively know what she needs, and I’ll stop and think, “Where did that come from?” That’s when I know Panagia is guiding me.
One of the most meaningful experiences of the trip was visiting the Holy Church of Panagia Evangelistria in Tinos.
It’s one of the holiest pilgrimage sites in Greece. The tradition is that pilgrims would crawl on their knees from the port to the church as an act of faith, gratitude, prayer, or in fulfillment of a promise made to Panagia. Beneath the church flows a sacred spring of holy water that has brought hope and healing.
Walking into that church with Athena, was something I’ll never forget.
I prayed that same love and protection would surround her every step of her life. I prayed for our family and friends. The moment I walked inside, I was overcome with emotion. I’ve rarely felt that much love in one place. Athena’s godfather (my Koubaro) felt it too.
One of the most beautiful parts of our visit was hearing the stories from Father Peter George, who took the time to show us the sacred places throughout the church and share the history.
If you’re ever planning a trip to Greece, I can’t recommend Tinos enough. And if you go, stay at the Odera. It was pure peace and magic. ❤️🇬🇷
