AUGUST 15th
PILGRIMAGE TO PANAGIA SOUMELA

Departure from Agios Vissarion Square at 07:00, heading to Kastania, Veria and the Holy Monastery of Panagia Soumela, where we will venerate the miraculous icon of the Virgin Mary. The monastery was built in 1951 by Pontic Greek refugees, with the desire to revive the original Monastery of Panagia Soumela located on Mount Mela in Trebizond (Trabzon).

According to tradition, the miraculous icon of the Virgin Mary housed there was painted by the Evangelist Luke. In 1923, the last monks of the Soumela Monastery buried the icon, along with the cross of Emperor Manuel III Komnenos and the handwritten Gospel of Saint Christopher, in the chapel of Saint Barbara. These sacred relics returned to Greece in 1930 and were placed in the Byzantine Museum of Athens. In 1951, the miraculous icon was enthroned on the slopes of Mount Vermio. Panagia Soumela celebrates her feast day on August 15th.

Free time will be given for lunch. Then, at 16:00, we depart for Veria, where we’ll have about two hours of free time to explore the city and enjoy a coffee. Starting from Elia Park, during our free time in Veria we can visit the “Step of Apostle Paul”, where Roman-era slabs from the 1st century are preserved. According to tradition, the Apostle to the Nations stood on these slabs while preaching in Veria, giving the monument special historical, religious, and emotional significance.

We can also stroll through the city’s traditional neighborhoods, such as Barbouta, known for its preserved mansions of Jewish merchants, and Kyriotissa, famous for its numerous Byzantine churches and temples.

After completing our visit to Veria, we depart for Larissa, making a short stop along the way. Arrival back in our city is expected in the early evening.

PARTICIPATION FEE: €25

NOTE:
Due to the feast day and the expected heavy traffic, the bus will drop off participants as close as possible to the church, depending on police instructions.