From February 9 to 19, six members of the youth fellowship (Syndesmos) of the Cathedral of Saint Nicholas in Seoul undertook a pilgrimage to Mount Athos and visited various cities in Greece, led by Fr. Antonios Lim and Fr. Epiphanios Gregoriatis.
On Mount Athos, the group spent six days and visited the Holy Monasteries of Iviron, Gregoriou, Koutloumousiou, and Stavronikita. There, they experienced monastic and liturgical life firsthand and viewed historic Gospel lectionaries, ancient manuscripts, sacred icons, and relics preserved in museums and libraries.
Following their time on Mount Athos, the group visited Thessaloniki, Kastoria, Patras, Ancient Olympia, Troezen, and Athens.
We extend our heartfelt gratitude to the Abbots and Fathers of the monasteries visited; to Their Eminences Metropolitan Kallinikos of Kastoria and Metropolitan Chrysostomos of Patras; to the directors of the dormitories of the brotherhood “Soter” in Athens and Thessaloniki; and to the Holy Monasteries of Kecharitomeni in Troezen and Saint John Makrinou in Megara, for their generous hospitality and the opportunities for spiritual edification they provided to the group of Korean youth.
We also thank the Ministry of Culture of Greece for complimentary admission to archaeological sites and museums, made possible through the good offices of His Excellency the Greek Ambassador to Korea, Mr. Loukas Tsokos.