Posted on July 29, 2010 in Pilgrimage to the Skete of St. Anna, 2007 - 0 COMMENTS
On the way to the Skete
by Rev Fr Chris Flesoras
I can’t say we awoke this morning as we decided after a wonderful dinner and evening with George Oikonomidis, whose family owns and works at one of the most acclaimed wood carving shops of Greece, that it was far too impractical to sleep as it was already close to midnight by the time that we returned to the hotel and after spending some time uploading files on our computers, we would have to be up in but in less than four hours to depart for Ouranopolis. We were ready and waiting outside of our hotel by 5:30AM for Vangeli who had been asked to drive us to the port from which we would depart. Unfortunately, Vangeli overslept as he didn’t receive an anticipated wake-up call, arriving to take us at close to 7AM. We did however have time to walk to a bakery and to enjoy bougatsa (a Thessalonian delight).
The road to Ouranoupolis seemed long, although Vangeli made quite the time. As we drove passed many of the markers with vigils lights on the side of the road, I wondered if any of these where keeping memorial for those who were running late for their boats to Athos? Nonetheless, we arrived safely, in enough time for a cup of coffee, and boarded our boat with a thank you to Vangeli and a “See you on Wednesday morning.”
As we boarded the boat, Josh and Harrison were taking everything in every aspect of the experience. From monastery to monastery, they were shooting photos in between our talks about the various monasteries and aspects of the monastic life. I also was taken with the views, but found myself proofing the Paraclesis text to Joachim and Anna that will be prayed on September 9th at our parish.
We arrived in Daphne, the port in which we would take our next boat to the Skete. There are a few shops which sell products from the Holy Monasteries of Athos. We shopped a bit, sat and talked and waited for our departure. Once on the boat, the “Agia Anna”, we all looked with great anticipation to each and every monastery that we passed as it brought us closer to our destination…the Theophileon Brotherhood of the Skete.
As the boat approached the dock, we worked our way toward the exit of the boat. In the distance I could see Fr. Theophilos who patiently waited for us. Even though we speak infrequently at best, seeing him was seeing a dear friend if not a family member; as he would later put it, we have developed a very special bond between our communities on account of Saint Anna who has brought us together and we are indeed family as we are all brothers in Christ. After receiving Father’s blessing and a quick round of introductions, our items were loaded on the mules and then the discussion took place as to who would ride first – Josh took the honor.
For about half of the way up, Josh putt his upbringing in Texas to the test. He followed on Seva, right behind Fr. Theophilos who road on another mule – if I’m not mistaken, this mule was an old friend of my father. AS we were rounding one of the bends, Harrison, had put forth a most valiant effort, had had just about enough. Our Texas Ranger gave up his saddle for Harrison the Great - as he was affectionately refereed to by Fr. Theophilos – who would process successfully to the outer yard of the kaliva.
Approaching the house of the Theophileon Brotherhood was like a homecoming of sorts. I have always been made to feel right at home as I spend time in the kitchen, the garden, the chapel and in my room. Truly this is due to the graciousness of both Fr. Cherubim and Fr. Theophilos.
We advanced to our guest quarters to get settled – just a momentary setting down of our things – and then quickly returned to the patio for a bit of coffee and a sweet. Although we were tired from our sleepless night and our travels, we sat and enjoyed a bit of conversation prior to the afternoon nap, which would be followed by Vespers, a delicious dinner, the praying of Compline, and the inevitable return to our rooms for sleep.
