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Pilgrimage

Pilgrim instructions

You are welcome in The Hermitage Feast of the Annunciation- The Skete of Saint Demetrios – Lacu (Chilia Buna Vestire, Schitul Sfântul Dimitrie – Lacu), from the Holy Mountain Athos. We welcome you with love and joy!

At a glance

Four essentials, before reading the full instructions.

  • Access
    men only (Avaton)
  • Diamonitirion
    €25 on arrival
  • Request invitation
    4–6 weeks ahead
  • Brotherhood email
    lakos.8@gmail.com

For a pilgrimage to the Holy Mountain Athos, please take into account the following aspects:

Pilgrimage steps

In their natural order — each step builds on the one before it. Read them in sequence.

  1. Access

    Access is only allowed to men, according to a law called Avaton. You can read about Avaton here (you can use Google Translate): marturieathonita.ro ↗

  2. Monasteries

    It is necessary to select the monasteries you wish to visit. You can read about them in the application available for free download here: play.google.com ↗

  3. Accommodation

    Call the monasteries where you want to stay overnight and reserve your accommodation. Find the contact details of the monasteries in the tables at the bottom of this page.

  4. Diamonitirion

    To obtain the permits for staying in the Holy Mountain Athos (diamonitiria), you have the possibility either to obtain an invitation from one of the monasteries where you have accommodation assured (it is necessary to contact it), or to contact the Pilgrimage Office in Thessaloniki (tel. 0030-2310-252578, fax 0030-2310-222424 or e-mail: athosreservation@gmail.com), in this last case the number of permits being limited to 100 per day.

  5. Invitation

    To request an invitation from Schitul Sfântul Dimitrie – Lacu, please email lakos.8@gmail.com. Per the new regulations of the Holy Community of Mount Athos in force since 1 January 2025, the previously-used online form (formularathos.ro) is no longer in use.

  6. Diamonitirion

    Your data will be sent directly by us to the Pilgrimage Office in Thessaloniki, which will issue the diamonitiria. You will pick it up, against the sum of 25 euros, from Ouranopoli, before boarding the boat.

  7. Boat

    It is necessary to make a reservation on the boat. For this, access the website agioreitikes-grammes.com ↗. You can use Google Translate for translation.

On the Holy Mountain

For the prayer of all — a few simple guidelines, easy to remember.

Welcome

  • Modest dress (long sleeves, long trousers)
  • Quiet speech — no raised voices
  • Phone on silent — or, better, switched off
  • Patience with monastic rules and the fathers
  • Questions asked calmly to the bookstall priest

Strictly forbidden

  • Photography or filming inside monasteries
  • Smoking anywhere on monastic grounds
  • Short-sleeved shirts and sportswear
  • Shorts and sandals for adult men
  • Visits by women — the whole peninsula is under Avaton

Additional information

  • You can consult the liturgical program of The Hermitage Feast of the Annunciation here: marturieathonita.ro ↗
  • You will find a small store in our Hermitage.
  • For further information, you can send an email to the address: lakos.8@gmail.com.
Request invitationThessaloniki bureauBoat tickets

Chilia contacts

For pilgrimage or correspondence — current list of the chilias of the Schete of Lacu brotherhood, with the responsible fathers and contact details. Numbers are in Greek format (+30).

Schete ofLacu