Pilgrim group from Kyiv Theological Seminary visits Mount Athos
Kyiv seminarians on Mount Athos. Photo: KDAiS
Third-year undergraduate students of the Kyiv Theological Seminary have arrived at Mount Athos during a pilgrimage to the holy sites of Romania, Greece and Italy, as reported on the Facebook page of the Kyiv Theological Academy and Seminary on October 2, 2026.
The trip is taking place from September 27 to October 7, 2026, with the blessing of the rector of the Kyiv Theological Academy and Seminary (KDAiS), Archbishop Sylvester of Bilohorodka. The group is accompanied by the vice-rector for educational work of the KTAS, Archbishop Ambrose of Zhurivka, seminary lecturer Hieromonk Pavel (Vitriuk), as well as clergy and staff of the theological school.
On September 28, the pilgrims arrived in Romania. In the area of Suceava they visited the Orthodox monasteries of Bukovina, and in Bucharest they visited the Patriarchal Cathedral of the Holy Equal-to-the-Apostles Constantine and Helena and venerated the relics of St. Demetrius the New, honored as the heavenly patron of the Romanian capital.
The students also visited the People's Salvation Cathedral of Apostle Andrew the First-Calledof in Romania.
On September 30, the group of pilgrims arrived at Mt. Athos, where they visited a number of monasteries and sketes of the Holy Mountain. In the Athonite monasteries, the students venerated holy relics, took part in services, and had the opportunity to become acquainted with the centuries-old tradition of Athonite monasticism.
A special place in the pilgrimage program was taken by spiritual conversations with the abbots and residents of the Athonite monasteries, as well as an introduction to the structure and rule of monastic life.
On October 2, the pilgrims headed to Thessaloniki. There they visited the Basilica of the Great Martyr Demetrius of Thessaloniki and the cathedral church where the relics of St. Gregory Palamas rest. The program also includes a visit to the Monastery of St. John the Theologian in Souroti, associated with St. Paisios the Athonite.
As the UOJ reported, Orthodox and Catholic bishops jointly visited Mount Athos.
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