Marking the last day of the Historic pilgrimage to Greece by Orthodox faithful of Ivory Coast, led by His Eminence Metropolitan Daniel of Accra, the group of pilgrims, consisting of clergy and laypeople, was blessed to visit the Holy Mount Athos yesterday, Wednesday, June 25, 2025.
Upon arrival at the Holy Mountain on Monday, June 23, in the afternoon, the pilgrims visited the historic Protaton Church in Karyes to participate in the celebration of the feast of the Most Holy Theotokos “Axion Estin.”
During the procession (Litē), held at the Administration Building of the Holy Community, they paid their respects to the Protos Elder Abbot Avraam.
On the following morning, His Eminence Daniel celebrated the Divine Liturgy at the Chapel of Saints Joachim and Anna, located at the namesake Cell in Karyes, under Elder Antypas, Hieromonk.
The pilgrims took part in the Holy Eucharist with fervor and spiritual enthusiasm.
Immediately after, they departed for their day-long pilgrimage, with their first stop at the Holy Monastery of Iviron, where they venerated the miraculous icon of the Theotokos “Portaitissa.”
Pilgrims visit the Mount Athos famous Vatopdei Monastery, meet Elder Ephraim
They then proceeded to the Great and Holy Monastery of Vatopedi, where they were warmly received by the Abbot Archimandrite Ephraim.
The Elder addressed them with fatherly words of love, emphasizing the importance of unity among all faithful with their Bishop.
They were guided through the monastery’s Katholikon (main church), treasury, and venerated the miraculous icons of the Theotokos, her Holy Belt, and numerous holy relics.
Their third stop was the Skete of the Holy Apostle Andrew, also known as “Serai,” in Karyes. There, they venerated the sacred relic of the First-Called Apostle Andrew and were given a tour of the Skete.
Late in the afternoon, they returned to the Cell of Saint Anna for Vespers and dinner.
The next morning, they visited the Holy Monastery of Simonopetra, where they venerated the relic of its founder, Saint Simon the Myrrh-gusher, in the Katholikon, and were guided through the monastery’s renowned library and museum.
Mount Athos, the cradle of universal Orthodox spirituality, served as a spiritual beacon of piety for our African brethren.
All expressed their heartfelt desire to be granted the opportunity to return to the “Garden of the Theotokos” in the future, to be further grounded in the Orthodox faith and strengthened in their spiritual journey.
They also expressed their deep gratitude to their shepherd, His Eminence Daniel, for the blessing to make this sacred pilgrimage to Mount Athos.
