Bp. Maxim Leads St. Sava Parish Pilgrimage to Mt. Athos

MT. ATHOS — Bp. Maxim of Western America led parishioners of St. Sava Serbian Orthodox Church in San Gabriel, CA, on a pilgrimage to Mt. Athos in September, accompanied by the parish rector, Fr. Predrag Bojovic. The group visited 11 monasteries, including nine on Mt. Athos and two in Greece, as well as the Serbian Military Cemetery in Thessaloniki and the Church of St. Demetrios.

The pilgrims were received at the monasteries with hospitality and met prominent elders and abbots, receiving spiritual counsel and instruction. In Karyes, the administrative center of Mt. Athos, they were officially received by the Protos and the Holy Epistasia.

A particularly significant part of the pilgrimage was the group's visit to Hilandar, the Serbian monastery founded by St. Sava and his father, St. Simeon the Myrrh-streaming. The pilgrims remained there for two days and participated in divine services celebrated by Bp. Maxim. They also visited Vatopedi, where St. Sava established several churches, chapels, and a tower.

At Vatopedi, Bp. Maxim and Fr. Predrag were invited to celebrate the Divine Liturgy in the church dedicated to the Holy Belt of the Most Holy Theotokos, which was built by St. Sava. The group also met Elder Ephraim and received an opportunity to venerate the Holy Belt and other relics.

The pilgrimage concluded with thanksgiving and prayers, as the parishioners returned home seeking to bring the spiritual experience of Mt. Athos into their parish and family life.

Previously, the UOJ reported that Mt. Athos opposed the suggested “dual ownership” of St. Catherine Monastery.