From September 11 to 14, 2026, His Eminence Metropolitan Job of Pisidia undertook a pilgrimage to Mount Athos, accompanied by a group of ten pilgrims from the Holy Metropolis of Pisidia.
This was the first organized pilgrimage of our Metropolis to Mount Athos. The pilgrims had the blessing of venerating the holy relics and miraculous icons of the monasteries, partaking in the Holy Mysteries, and experiencing monastic life through the living words of the Fathers.
The pilgrimage began at the Holy and Great Monastery of Vatopedi, where His Eminence and the pilgrims received a warm and heartfelt welcome. The Abbot of the Monastery, Archimandrite Ephraim, welcomed them and engaged in a spiritual conversation with them. He spoke with paternal warmth about the power of patience and prayer, how trials become a blessing when faced with faith, and about the protection of the Mother of God. The pilgrims asked questions and received his counsel with great joy. His Eminence Metropolitan Job of Pisidia celebrated the Divine Liturgy in the church dedicated to the Holy Belt of the Mother of God.
Subsequently, they proceeded to the Holy Monastery of Xenophon, where His Eminence celebrated the Divine Liturgy. There, they were warmly welcomed by the Abbot of the Monastery, Archimandrite Alexios. Following the Divine Liturgy, a delightful conversation took place in the guest quarters (archontariki), where the Elder spoke with simplicity about unity within the Church, as well as humility and obedience as the path leading to Christ, and willingly answered questions from the pilgrims. At the same Monastery, His Eminence was deeply moved as he officiated a memorial service at the grave of the late Metropolitan Ezekiel of Pisidia.
The pilgrimage concluded at the Holy Monastery of Simonopetra, where His Eminence and the pilgrims were warmly welcomed by the Abbot, Archimandrite Elisaios. At the Abbot’s invitation, His Eminence had the honor of addressing the gathering of the Monastery’s fathers. Elder Elisaios shared thoughts on inner stillness, unceasing prayer, and how modern man can keep his faith alive amidst the challenges of daily life.
The pilgrimage concluded with joy and spiritual benefit. Upon their departure, Elder Elisaios urged the pilgrims to keep alive within themselves what they had received on Mount Athos, as a source of prayer and strength in their daily lives.
