Pilgrimage to Greece, Turkey, & Medjugorje Under The Spiritual Direction Of Fr. Edgar Elamparo & Fr. Victor Trinidad

Today we board our flights with meals and beverages served aloft.

Welcome to Istanbul, formerly known as Constantinople! Upon arrival, we are welcomed by our representative. After visa formalities, we head to our hotel for a welcome reception.

This morning we head to the Sultanahmet district. This World Heritage-listed district is crammed with historic buildings and atmosphere to keep you enthralled for days. Full day visits to the Topkapi Palace; overlooking the Sea of Marmara and containing numerous chambers, courtyards, and royal treasures; the Sultan Ahmed (Blue) Mosque, with its six minarets and thousands of blue tiles; and the historic Hagia Sophia, now a museum, converted to a mosque from a Christian Basilica after the fall of Constantinople in 1453. Next, we see the Hippodrome and the Obelisk brought from Egypt. We celebrate Mass at the local church.

This morning we will have time to visit the Grand Bazaar for shopping. The Grand Bazaar is an amazing place, literally a maze of streets. It is one of the largest undercover bazaars in the world. Afterwards, we will enjoy a relaxing two-hour Bosphorus cruise, offering stunning views of both the European and Asian sides of Istanbul, along with its palaces, mosques, and bridges that line the strait. We celebrate Mass at a local church.

Today, we depart Istanbul and fly to Athens, Greece. Upon arrival, we will meet our escort and driver. After, we begin exploring the historic city of Athens (Acts 17:16–34). We visit the Acropolis and marvel at the Parthenon, one of the greatest monuments of ancient civilization, dedicated to the goddess Athena. From this vantage point, we view the Areopagus (Hill of Ares), visited by Pope St. John Paul II and the site where St. Paul delivered his famous sermon on the “Unknown God.” We stop at the local church for Mass before heading to our hotel.

Today we’ll leave Athens early in the morning for Piraeus and at 11:00 a.m. sail into the Aegean Sea. Here we celebrate Mass on the ship. Our first island is one of the islands belonging to the Cyclades group of islands. This mountainous island of Mykonos has about 400 churches and is famous for its picturesque white houses and the island’s trademark, the charming windmills. Mykonos has a unique architecture of Byzantine and Western characteristics. Next, we will visit the Church of Panagia Paraportiani (Greek for Our Lady of the Side Gate) on the main square Cathedral and an old Catholic Church and many boutiques and taverns along tiny, paved streets. Return on board of the ship.

This morning you will arrive at the Turkish port city of Kusadasi. From here you will travel to Ephesus, where the Blessed Virgin Mary lived with St. John in a small house on the hill behind the city. Here you will have Mass before traveling down to the ancient city where you can walk the marble roads rutted by wheels of countless chariots and pass the ruins of architectural masterpieces. It is here that St. Paul preached to the Ephesians, and where he was arrested and cast out of the city. In the afternoon you will visit the island of Patmos, where St. John wrote the apocalyptic Book of Revelations. On our excursion we will visit the cave where he lived, now the site of a monastery housing priceless icons and manuscripts.

Today is the last day of the cruise. Pilgrims, at their own leisure, can enjoy visiting Heraklion on the Island of Crete, as well as Fira, the capital of the Island of Santorini. The Cruise Ship offers excursions which you can purchase onboard if you want a more structured tour of either island. Our daily Mass will be celebrated on the ship.

This morning, we disembark the cruise and drive to Corinth, crossing the historic Corinth Canal—first attempted by Emperor Nero. Corinth, one of the oldest cities in Greece, was a major center of St. Paul’s ministry. After his journey from Athens, he remained here for a year and a half preaching and establishing the early Christian community (Acts 18:1–18). Mass will be celebrated at Ancient Corinth. Following our spiritually enriching visit, we transfer to the airport for our flight to Split. Upon arrival to Split (or Dubrovnik) International Airport, your group will meet with your guide and driver, and your pilgrimage journey to Medjugorje begins. After short border formalities between the Republic of Croatia and Bosnia and Herzegovina, the group will arrive in Medjugorje. Check in to your hotel for dinner and an overnight stay.

After breakfast, your local English-speaking guide will begin introductions, starting with a walk from your hotel to St. James Church. You will arrive just before the first English-language Mass at 10:00 AM. In the afternoon, we will visit Bijakovici Village and Apparition Hill (also known as Podbrdo), where Our Lady first appeared. In the evening, gather with pilgrims from around the world at 6:00 PM to pray the Rosary. All three Mysteries will be prayed during the evening program, followed by Mass, Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, or Veneration of the Cross. Religious articles will be blessed after Mass.

This morning, pilgrims will have the opportunity to climb “Cross Mountain” (Krizevac), a powerful site of prayer and reflection. We’ll also visit the “Blue Cross,” another location of apparitions. The remainder of the day will allow time for private devotions, quiet reflection, shopping, or simply enjoying your own “freedom of prayer.” We will gather again for the evening Rosary and Mass program.

Today we board our flights home, carrying with us memories and keepsakes that will last a lifetime.