- 16 September, 2026
Mount Athos, Greece, September 16, 2026: Catholics and Orthodox Christians have come together for a pilgrimage to Mount Athos in Greece, in a journey described as “historic” for its witness to the growing relationship between the two Churches.
The pilgrimage took place from 6 to 9 September, jointly led by Bishop Aldo Berardi, Apostolic Vicar of Northern Arabia, and Archbishop Ghattas Hazim, Greek Orthodox Metropolitan of Kuwait and Baghdad of the Patriarchate of Antioch.
The delegation also received the blessing of Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, before travelling to the monastic peninsula. The group was able to visit 12 of Mount Athos’ 20 monasteries, gaining firsthand experience of its centuries-old monastic tradition.
Bishop Berardi was accompanied by a Catholic delegation that included Fr. Sliman Hifawi of the Co-Cathedral of the Holy Family in Kuwait, Fr. Boutrus Gharib of the Greek Catholic Church in Kuwait, seminarian Pedro Mendoza of the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem, and Pierre Maalouf.
Representing the Orthodox Church was Fr. Ephrem Al Toumi.
The delegation was initially welcomed at Simonopetra Monastery and later at Vatopedi Monastery, before continuing its visits to other monastic communities across Mount Athos.
Bishop Berardi described the pilgrimage as a “historic journey”, particularly because it reflects the good relationship between the Catholic and Orthodox Churches in Kuwait.
The pilgrimage provided participants with an opportunity to encounter the distinctive spiritual and monastic heritage of Mount Athos, traditionally regarded as one of the great centres of Orthodox Christian monasticism.
The 20 monasteries of Mount Athos are under the jurisdiction of the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople, while each monastery maintains a significant degree of administrative, disciplinary and spiritual autonomy under its abbot.
For the Catholic and Orthodox participants, the journey offered an opportunity not only to learn about this tradition but also to deepen mutual understanding through shared Christian experience.
The initiative was welcomed by Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, who agreed to bless the participants following a request from Metropolitan Hazim.
According to the Apostolic Vicariate of Northern Arabia, the pilgrimage was intended to help “open paths towards Christian unity”, highlighting the importance of continued encounter and cooperation between Catholics and Orthodox Christians.
Mount Athos has long been associated with Christian holiness and monastic spirituality. Among the saints connected with the region is St. Gregory Palamas, a prominent fourteenth-century theologian and spiritual writer.
The delegation also recalled St. Areta, a sixth-century saint who is recognised as one of the patron saints of the Church on the Arabian Peninsula by both Catholics and Orthodox Christians.
The pilgrimage therefore offered more than an encounter with a historic monastic centre. It became an opportunity for Christians from different traditions to pray, learn and build relationships while continuing the journey towards greater Christian unity.
Courtesy : Vatican News
Picture Courtesy : Vicariato apostolico Arabia del Nord and Apostolic Vicariate of Northern Arabia
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