The next group of pilgrims has arrived at the Skete, many of them visiting for the Feast of a particular house within the community.  I was pleasantly surprised when an Athonite monk in the group began speaking English, granted with a bit of a Canadian accent as he was born and raised in Quebec.  I was even more surprised when one of the pilgrims approached me, thinking that I was an elder of the Skete!  A few words in Greek assured him that I was simply a visitor, far from a member of this community, let alone the Dikaios.

I may have written this elsewhere, but I remain most thrilled that Fr. Cheroubim does not believe that the desert should replace the world.  In other words, whether we are members of a parish or members of a monastic community, each remains valid and a unique setting in which salvation can be attained by the faithful.  Problems often arise when we cross over from one to another or when we identify with a particular extreme in either the world or the dessert.  The middle road, as he noted, is a good road to travel, and joyously so!

In a day and an age when many seek wise elders both on and off the Holy Mount, Fr. Cheroubim reminded us that true holiness is identified when an elder is easier on his spiritual children and harder on himself.  The spiritual father, he continued, of course challenges his charges, but remains most realistic of their abilities and gifts, knowing that God remains compassionate, judging the intent just as much as the thoughts, words, or deeds.

Dimitri travels to the Skete of Saint Anna from Kavala Greece for two weeks of the month.  His time in Kavala is spent driving a taxi and training (Dimitri is rated as one of the best kick-boxers in Northern Greece).  He offers his service to the monks each month with the hopes that Saint Anna will soften the hearts of his girlfriend’s parents, who aren’t approving of him for their daughter, Maria.  He remains confident though that Saint Anna will intercede on his behalf and that the prayers of the monks, not to mention his discipline of service, will avails much with the Lord.

Liturgy was attended by a small number of us in the Kyriakon on account of the vigil being kept at the chapel of the Three Hierarchs.  In all there were no more than ten of us.  All were familiar faces except for the celebrant and an elderly monk who joined us, Fr. Gabriel who is attached the chapel of Saint George at the Skete. 

We begin our walk to the Chapel of the Three Hierarchs, about ½ hour away from the main courtyard.  Although the moon is somewhat hidden behind the clouds, the sky is filled with stars that provide a bit of light for our trek up and down sets of stairs.  Nonetheless, Fr. Theophilos walks with a lantern in one hand, a walking stick in the other, and carries the Holy Relic in a leather satchel, which hangs around his neck.  I walk with a flashlight in one hand and a walking stick in the other, while carrying our exorasa (our outer black robes) over my shoulder.

We prepared to enter the Kyriakon, the Church dedicated to Saint Anna.  Surprisingly, the entrance was found in the informal salon where we had sipped our first Greek coffee and signed the guest book of the Skete.  Now, in the company of Fr. Theophilos and fellow pilgrims, we enter the narthex through a beautifully crafted inlaid wood door.

It’s magnificent!  After our walk up the 2000 steps to the Skete of Saint Anna, we entered the courtyard of the Kyriakon, that is the main Church dedicated to Saint Anna, which is used on Sundays for services.  The courtyard is filled with colors, from the various paints of the buildings to mosaic icons and the Byzantine stripped flagpole that rested upon the retaining wall overlooking the Sea. 

I write from the comfort of the Sofitel Hotel at the Athens Airport where Lufthansa has hosted us for the evening due to bad weather in Munich that has delayed our flight for a day.  Our trip/pilgrimage to Mount Athos comes to a close as we prepare to depart for the United States.  The experiences, the lessons and the opportunities were innumerable as the blessings were equally unimaginable as we received a relic of Saint Anna from Fr. Cheroubim Apostolou of the Skete of Saint Anna.  Needless to say, the months ahead will be filled with writings and discussions concerning our trip and the blessings that have come to our parish through the Grace of the Holy Spirit and the good will of a most dear elder and friend at the Skete of our common matron.

A homily offered by Dn. Joseph on the Feast of Saint Anna at the close of the Divine Liturgy