For the first time in the history of Orthodoxy in Ivory Coast, the General Directorate of Worship of the Republic of Côte d’Ivoire, in cooperation with the Orthodox Archdiocese of Accra, is funding a trip of Orthodox Christians from the country on a pilgrimage in Greece.
The General Directorate, under the auspices of His Excellency the President of the Republic, Mr. Alassane Dramane Ouattara, is funding the ten-day pilgrimage trip, which started from June 16 through 26, 2025, consisting of Orthodox clergy and laypeople.
The pilgrimage will be led by His Eminence Metropolitan Daniel of Accra and will include ten clergy members and fourteen laypeople from Côte d’Ivoire is organized with the purpose of familiarizing participants with the Orthodox faith and tradition, as well as with Greek culture.
The delegation is accompanied by His Excellency Mr. Zoro Epiphane Ballo, President of the High Authority for Good Governance of the Republic of Côte d’Ivoire, along with officials from the Authority and other government ministries.
The Ivorian National Television Broadcaster, Télévision Ivoirienne (RTI), is participating and broadcasting the pilgrimage to viewers across the country.
This pilgrimage is the result of meetings and pastoral efforts of His Eminence Metropolitan Daniel with state authorities and marks the beginning of close cooperation between the State of Côte d’Ivoire and the Holy Metropolis of Accra.
The pilgrims are scheduled to visit Athens, Patras, Zakynthos, the Holy Meteora, Thessaloniki, and Mount Athos.
Pilgrimage to Saint Andrew the Apostle in Patras, Greece
On Thursday, June 19, Orthodox pilgrims from Côte d’Ivoire, both clergy and laypeople, accompanied by His Eminence Metropolitan Daniel of Accra, visited the Holy Church of Saint Andrew the First-Called Apostle in the city of Patras.
They were received by His Eminence Metropolitan Chrysostomos of Patras, who spoke to them about the life and mission of the Apostle Andrew.
The faithful venerated and prayed before the Holy Relic of his Sacred Skull and the Cross of his martyrdom.
Orthodox Christians from the Ivory Coast on Pilgrimage to Zakynthos
A Hierarchical Divine Liturgy was celebrated today, Friday, June 20, 2025, at the Catholicon of the Holy Imperial and Coenobitic Monastery of Strophades and Saint Dionysios of Zakynthos, by His Eminence Daniel, Metropolitan of Accra, with concelebrating clergy from Côte d’Ivoire.
The pilgrimage to the island of Zakynthos was undertaken to become acquainted with the Orthodox religious and cultural tradition of the island and to venerate the relics of Saint Dionysios the Saint of Forgiveness.
His Eminence Daniel expressed his heartfelt thanks to His Eminence Dionysios, Metropolitan of Zakynthos, and to the Abbot Archimandrite Father Dionysios for their warm hospitality at the Holy Monastery.
The pilgrims continue their journey of familiarizing themselves with their Orthodox faith until Thursday, June 26. Let’s keep them in our prayers.
