Glory to God For All Things

A Pilgrimage to Mt. Athos

 

God willing, I leave this Thursday (September 21) for a pilgrimage to Mt. Athos. I’m with a group of ten, including a couple of other priests, and my 30 year-old son. Needless to say, I’ll be “off the grid” for much of that time and unable to respond to comments. I’ll have someone taking care of moderation.

I’ve been asked what I hope to get from my time on the mountain. I have no concrete thoughts on that, other than to pay attention to what is around me, and, by the mercy of God, within me. I will be praying for my parish family, my immediate family, and the larger family of friends and readers. I beg your prayers for my small group of travelers.

We’ll be on the mountain for about 10 days (two weeks total travel time). I’ll share what I can when I’m back!

Fr. Stephen +

About Fr. Stephen Freeman

Fr. Stephen is a priest of the Orthodox Church in America, Pastor Emeritus of St. Anne Orthodox Church in Oak Ridge, Tennessee. He is also author of Everywhere Present and the Glory to God podcast series.

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32 responses to “A Pilgrimage to Mt. Athos”

  1. b.michael Avatar
    b.michael

    May God keep and protect those on this pilgrimage and may Gods love abound with every step on the paths of the neptic fathers. Finally, may the experience be filled by Gods Grace allowing those whose hearts are fulfilled in this manner to be able to continue to reflect the light of Christ to all those whom they come face to face with .

  2. Chris Myers Avatar
    Chris Myers

    Be well, Fr Stephen, and enjoy your trip! We’ll be praying.

  3. Dee of St Hermans Avatar
    Dee of St Hermans

    Blessed pilgrimage, Fr Stephen!

  4. Anna Avatar
    Anna

    God bless you all Father Stephen!
    How special. 🙂

  5. mary benton Avatar
    mary benton

    Ever since I first heard of Mt. Athos, I’ve wanted to go there! Of course, I cannot. But I am excited for you, Fr. Stephen, and your group.

    Although God is “everywhere present”, I believe that there are places on earth where our hearts become especially open to knowing Him. undoubtedly, Mt. Athos is one of them. It is good not to expect anything in particular but to trust in what God gives.

    I will certainly be praying for you and with you as you move through this blessed pilgrimage…

  6. Panayiota Avatar
    Panayiota

    …Με το καλό
    …so that all goes well!

  7. Paula Avatar
    Paula

    How wonderful Father! May God grant safe travels to the Mountain and a blessed pilgrimage. Looking forward to hearing about it! Know you and your group are in my prayers…

  8. Dana Ames Avatar
    Dana Ames

    Prayers, Fr Stephen. May the Lord grant you great grace.

    Dana

  9. John R. Jones Avatar
    John R. Jones

    My prayers are with you in your journey. May Mount Athos be more than you expect.

  10. ALBERT Avatar
    ALBERT

    Pray for us Father Stephen and for all Mankind.
    BLESSINGS to you and your Troup.
    ALBERT, TANYA and Family.

  11. SW Avatar
    SW

    Have already begun praying for you, Fr Stephen. Blessings to you and all. Thank you again for this blog.

  12. Karen Avatar
    Karen

    Godspeed, Father! 🙏🏻

  13. John (Ioannis) Chiladakis Avatar
    John (Ioannis) Chiladakis

    Best wishes, with good health

  14. Nadine Avatar
    Nadine

    God be with you and your companions! Please pray for my family. Looking forward to your sharing when you return!

  15. Katherine Nikolaou Avatar
    Katherine Nikolaou

    Your articles touch my soul, Father Stephen. I live in Greece and even though I cannot enter the Holy Mountain, I know it will leave its special mark both in you as well as in your companions. My homeland has been blessed with this holy place. The prayers of the Hagiorite Fathers are a great consolation in these difficult times. My prayers are also with you. Katherine

  16. Margaret Avatar
    Margaret

    God bless you and your fellow travelers with good health and His Peace and Comfort! My prayers are with you and thank you for your prayers for us!

  17. Salaam Avatar
    Salaam

    May God be with you.

  18. Agata Avatar
    Agata

    Father,
    May the angel of the Lord go before you!

  19. Byron Avatar
    Byron

    Blessings and prayers for you and your fellow travelers, Father! May God grant you all His Grace. Pray for us!

  20. Debbie A. Avatar
    Debbie A.

    May God’s Holy Spirit of Peace surround you, fill you and lead you on this journey, moment by moment to Our Heart of hearts Father Stephen. Please pray for us.

  21. Thomma Lyn Grindstaff Avatar
    Thomma Lyn Grindstaff

    Safe travels, Fr. Stephen! I’ll be praying for you, and I look forward to your thoughts on your journey when you return.

  22. Simon Avatar
    Simon

    Father, please, pray for me there.

  23. victoria Avatar
    victoria

    Father bless!

    My prayers are with you and your traveling companions. Many blessings on your journey. Please light a candle for all your readers while you are on the Holy mountain!

  24. Nicholas Stephen Griswold Avatar
    Nicholas Stephen Griswold

    God speed Father. May the Lord enrich your spirit.

  25. Albert Avatar
    Albert

    I worked in Thessaloniki for three years a long time ago. Closest I got to Mt. Athos was a view across the water from Halkidiki beach. Later we drove farther up the coast, but I was more interested in Aristotle’s birth place, a village called Stagira if I remember correctly, than in the crazy monks. That’said how far off the path, “the way,” I was then. Now I would cash in my chips and go with other pilgrims, maybe for a longer stay– if I had chips (and no loving family who doesn’t believe). Lord have mercy. Pray for us, Dear Father.

  26. Z Avatar
    Z

    May God bless your journey, and your fellow travelers, as well, Father! I cannot wait to hear what you will see with the eyes of your heart.
    I’ve been humbled down with health problems lately, but I want you to know that your blog had answered or confirmed so many of the questions I’ve had lately.
    Pray for us!

  27. NSP Avatar
    NSP

    Wish you a safe and fruitful journey, Father! Thank you for your promise of prayer for us your readers. I will pray for you.

  28. Xenia Avatar
    Xenia

    All Joy! All Prayers ! Amen !

  29. learningtobestill2016 Avatar
    learningtobestill2016

    May the Lord guide and protect you in your journey.

  30. Cathy Avatar
    Cathy

    God be with all of you!

  31. Agata Avatar
    Agata

    Dear Friends on the Glory to God blog!

    This post may be deleted by the mediator, depending on Father Stephen’s instructions… But maybe Father will bless it, since it’s for Greece… 🙂

    But I am going to take this risk and in the spirit of Father’s Mt. Athos trip ask you to consider making a small donation to help one monastery in Greece get a paved parking lot!
    Since my appeal to friends on FB did not prove fruitful, maybe I will be more successful here.
    Hannah’s mom is my friend and a wonderful Orthodox teacher of healthy eating/cooking (I have shared her web site here before with Father’s permission).

    Please read the story and give a little… 🙂 If you do (especially anonymously), maybe add “Glory to God for All Things” in the comment…
    https://www.gofundme.com/greekgarage

    Sincerely,
    Agata McCutcheon

  32. Agata Avatar
    Agata

    Thank you to all who may have contributed to the funding campaign for the Greek monastery. They have raised enough to start the project, I heard today. I cannot wait to go visit there some day…

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