The pilgrimage visit of Archbishop Anastasios to Agion Oros (Holy Mountain), which is otherwise known as The Garden of Virgin Mary, began on Monday, May 15, and continued according to the program. In this visit, the first one since Archbishop Anastasios was chosen the primate of the Orthodox Autocephalous Church of Albania, he was accompanied by His Grace Joan, Metropolitan of Korça, His Grace Nathanail, Metropolitan of Amantia and other clergy.
Following the tradition of Mount Athos, the first stop was at Protato, the Administrative Center of the Holy Mountain, where Doxology was chanted in the presence of the Fr. Varnava, the Protoepistat of Mount Athos, who welcomed the visitors on behalf of all the present representatives of the twenty gracious monasteries. Present at the reception ceremony was also the civil administrator of the Holy Mountain, Mr. Aristos Kasamiroglo.
Archbishop Anastasios prayed in front of the “Axion Esti” icon which is one of the most popular icons in the Holy Mountain.
Then the visitors visited the Athonian Academy, one of the oldest schools established during the dark times of Ottoman invasion with the special role to contribute to Christian’s rebirth in the entire Balkan territory and beyond. The Academy still continues today to be the proper venue for the education of the clergy and monks serving in the Orthodox Church, maintaining its multiethnic character in the selection of students.
Archbishop Anastasios and his accompanying group were welcomed at the Holy Monastery of Xenofontos where relics of St. George, the Great Martyr are preserved. The words of Fr. Alex, the Igumen of the Monastery were really touching especially when he recalled the work of Archbishop Anastasios for the restoration of the Orthodox Church in Albania, which is the result of great efforts, ierapostolic zeal, self-sacrifice, and of deep faith and devotion to our Lord Jesus Christ. He considered this visit a special honor and privilege to the brotherhood of the Monastery and at the same time a teaching, because Archbishop Anastasios is an example to be followed by anyone who bears the burden of Cross ordained by God. In particular, the Igumen referred to the special role that Archbishop Anastasias continues to have in the Orthodox Church and throughout the Inter-Christian movement for the ierapostolism of peoples.
On Thursday, Archbishop Anastasios visited the Monastery of Simonopetra, whose brotherhood, in the early years of Church’s renewal in Albania, was present not only through their prayers, but also by sending monks to help with the spiritual work in the Theological Academy, and in other sectors of Church life in Albania.
The Garden of Virgin Mary, the Holy Mountain and its many brotherhoods have a special role in the Orthodox Church because not only do they help to preserve the holy tradition, but they also come in help with their prayers and contribution wherever it is necessary. In this context, the visit of His Beatitude, Archbishop Anastasios was more than valuable for the Orthodox community and the Orthodox Autocephalous Church of Albania.
