Archimandrite Ephraim, Abbot of the Vatopedi Monastery, the brothers of the Monastery, Father Evdokimos and Father George, as well as the Hieromonk Chrysostom, Geron of the Holy Cell of of Saint John Chrysostom in the Skete of Koutloumousiou, made a pilgrimage visit to the Holy Center of the Ecumenical Patriarchate today, Tuesday, September 10, in order to pay their respects to the Ecumenical Patriarch and receive his good wishes and blessings on the occasion of the beginning, on September 1, of the new ecclesiastical year.

During their discussion, reference was also made to the forthcoming visit of His All-Holiness to Mount Athos, in the course of which he will preside at the Divine Liturgy to be held on October 20 at the Catholicon of Xenophontos Monastery, on the occasion of the 200th anniversary of its construction. He will also go to Karyes, where he will venerate the icon of Mount Athos, the Virgin Mary “Axion Esti,” in the Church of Protaton, and will also visit the Holy Monasteries of Vatopedi, Pantokrator, the Athoniada School and the Sketes of Saint Andrew (Serai), Saint Panteleimon and the Prophet Elias.

The Metropolitan Amphilochios of Adrianopolis also attended the meeting of His All-Holiness with the Abbot of the Vatopedi Monastery and the fathers who accompanied him.