Saint John the Russian Pilgrimage

Saint John the Russian (Russian: Иоанн Русский) (1690 – May 27, 1730) is one of the most renowned saints in the Eastern Orthodox Church. Being a prisoner of war and a slave to a Turkish Ağa, he became famous and respected even by his Muslim master for his humility, steadiness in faith and benevolence. His holy relics are claimed to be undecayed and wonder-working; there are traditions that this saint particularly helps sick children and those who suffer from cancer.

The new saint came to be venerated not only by Orthodox Christians, but also by Armenians, and even Turks, who prayed to the Russian saint, “Servant of God, in your mercy, do not disdain us.”

In the year 1881, a portion of the relics of Saint John were transferred to the Russian monastery of the holy Great Martyr Panteleimon by the monks of Mount Athos, after they were miraculously saved by the saint during a dangerous journey.

Construction of a new church was begun in 1886, through the contributions of the monastery and the inhabitants of Prokopi in North Evia. This was necessary because the church of the holy Great Martyr George, where the relics of Saint John were enshrined, had fallen into disrepair.

On August 15, 1898 the new church dedicated to Saint John the Russian was consecrated by the Metropolitan John of Caesarea, with the blessing of the Ecumenical Patriarch Constantine V.

In 1924, an exchange of the populations of Greece and Turkey took place. Many muslims moved out of Greece, and many Christians moved out of Turkey. The inhabitants of Prokopi, when they moved to the island of Evia, took with them part of the relics of Saint John the Russian.

For several decades the relics were in the church of Saints Constantine and Helen at New Prokopi on Evia. In 1951 they were transferred into a new church dedicated to Saint John the Russian.

Thousands of pilgrims flocked here from all the corners of Greece, particularly on his Feast, May the 27th. Saint John the Russian is widely venerated on Mount Athos, particularly in the Russian monastery of Saint Panteleimon.

Type: Pilgrimage Tour

Suitability: Singles, Couples, Families, Groups

Location: Evia

Duration: Full day trip (10-12 hours depending on your initial location)

Length: app 300 km (190 miles) roundtrip (starting from your hotel in Athens)

Sights: Saint John the Russian Orthodox Church in Prokopi

Optional activity: Visit the Saint David the Elder Monastery in Rovies (30 EUR extra per person)

Availability: Upon Request

Please read carefully our Terms & Conditions before booking.

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