ST. PETERSBURG PILGRIMAGE TO GREEK MONASTERY
St. Petersburg, FL - On May 15th, 2005 the Church-School Congregation of St. Sava made its first ever pilgrimage to the Greek Orthodox Monastery of Panagia Vlahernon and the Convent of the Annunciation of the Theotokos just outside of Ocala, Florida. Over fifty faithful caravanned in a chartered bus and cars for almost two hours, the youngest pilgrim being 6 months and the oldest being 86 years old.
The pilgrims were first warmly received at the Convent, where they were blessed to venerate the many beautiful Icons and Holy Relics in the church. The Abbess and other Monastics then treated the pilgrims to refreshments in the Trapeza, followed by a discussion on the various aspects of Orthodox Christian Monastacism, including they daily routines followed by the Nuns at the Convent, which Father Zaremba translated into Serbian.
A few miles down the road, over rolling hills and surrounded by pristine farmland, stands the Monastery of Panagia Vlahernon. The pilgrims left the Convent and made it just in time for Vespers in the Monastery's newly- remodeled Church. After the beautiful service, the Abbot and other Monastics in their immense hospitality then treated the faithful to a delicious meal.
Before long, it was back on the bus and home to St. Petersburg. The Church-School Congregation of St. Sava is truly grateful that their Greek Orthodox brothers and sisters at the Monastery and Convent allowed them to make this meaningful pilgrimage, and received them with such warmth and Christian love. They pilgrims feel blessed that they have witnessed their spiritual way of life and hope that they will learn from their example.