On Thursday, August 8, the Holy Metropolis of Kitros, Katerini, and Platamon organized a profound pilgrimage to Mount Athos, including a sea tour along the inner coast of the Athonite Peninsula. The spiritual journey was led by Metropolitan Georgios of Kitros, Katerini, and Platamon, accompanied by clergy from the Holy Metropolis, providing the faithful an opportunity to connect with a place where Orthodoxy shines brightly and the Most Holy Theotokos is deeply revered.
As the ship reached the waters in front of the Holy Monastery of Dionysios, monks from the monastery brought aboard holy relics to bless the pilgrims. These sacred relics included the right hand of St. John the Baptist and fragments of the relics of Saints George the Trophy-bearer and Great Martyr Paraskevi. Additionally, a copy of the icon of Panagia Soumela was brought onto the ship to be sanctified before being permanently enshrined in the Church of St. Savvas in Katerini.
During the blessing ceremony, the pilgrims venerated the holy relics, and the Supplication of the Virgin Mary, along with other ecclesiastical hymns, resonated across the waters. Metropolitan Georgios led the sanctification rite and encouraged the faithful to carry the grace of the saints within their hearts and lives. He also expressed deep gratitude to the Abbot of the Holy Monastery of Dionysios, Archimandrite Fr. Petros, for facilitating the transfer of the holy relics, wishing the Lord’s health and strength upon the entire Monastic Brotherhood.
The pilgrimage drew 290 participants, including both Greek and foreign holidaymakers from the seaside resorts of Pieria. All participants expressed their heartfelt thanks to Metropolitan Georgios for this spiritually uplifting experience, which offered them a deeper understanding of the monastic state of Athos. Many called upon him to continue this meaningful initiative in the future.
Translated by: Konstantinos Menyktas
