Mt. Athos, July 26, 2021
Photo: Facebook
At the invitation of Abbot Philotheos of Karakallou Monastery on Mt. Athos, His Grace Bishop Alexis of Bethesda of the Orthodox Church in America made an extended visit to the monastery earlier this month.
Photo: Facebook Bp. Alexis is himself a former resident of Karakallou, having labored on the Holy Mountain for many years, and then at one of the monastery’s dependencies in Greece.
During his stay at the monastery, he became the first OCA hierarch to ordain several Athonite fathers to the diaconate and priesthood on the Holy Mountain, reports St. Tikhon’s Monastery.
Before moving to Karakallou, His Grace began his monastic life at St. Tikhon’s Monastery, and it has been his home again since returning to America for health reasons and to be consecrated as Bishop of Bethesda on January 25. Bp. Alexis is also currently serving as Locum Tenens for the Diocese of Alaska.
His Grace celebrated the feast of Sts. Peter and Paul at Karakallou on July 11-12, and following the festive meal, he offered a sermon for the monastics and pilgrims.
Photo: Facebook
Bp. Alexis and those with him remained on the Holy Mountain until July 18.
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