15-29 May 2020

The Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia in cooperation with Premium Holidays is arranging a 15 day Pilgrimage to Georgia, Istanbul and the Holy Land

15-29 May 2020

His Eminence Archbishop Makarios of Australia will be leading the Pilgrimage

Dream Voyager Pty Ltd (Trading As: PREMIUM HOLIDAYS)

ABN 22 122 651 236 T/A LIC Number 2TA 07358

530 MARRICKVILLE ROAD, DULWICH HILL, NSW, 2203, AUSTRALIA Phone (02) 9241 3211 Fax (02) 9251 6564 Email [email protected] Web www.premiumholidays.com.au Mobile (Australia): +61 431538 816 Mobile (Greece): +30 6932 767 779

The program for the Pilgrimage Tour is as follows: The Narikala Fortress which guards the old city can be Day 1: Friday 15th May 2020 seen looming above us. Within the fortress, we will visit the Church of St Nicholas. We continue on to the AUSTRALIA - GEORGIA Bridge of Peace, the Churches Metekhi and Kashveti Departure from Sydney Airport with a direct flight (St George), as well as the Churches Sameba (Holy to Tbilisi, the capital of Georgia. Trinity) and the Sioni Cathedral, the Basilica Antshiskhati, and Rustaveli Street. Day 2: Saturday 16th May 2020 Dinner. Overnight.

TBILISI, GEORGIA

Arrival at Tbilisi Shota Rustaveli International airport. Transfer to the hotel, check-in, rest time and in the afternoon a first acquaintance with the city.

Dinner. Overnight.

Day 4: Monday 18th May 2020

EASTERN GEORGIA - KAKHETI REGION Early start after breakfast to visit the Monasteries of Eastern Georgia which hold great significance in the religious, educational and scientific life of the country. At the Bodbe Monastery(9thc),we will visit Day 3: Sunday 17th May 2020 the tomb of Saint Nino. We will continue onto the spring of the Monastery of the Sacred Temple and TBILISI TOUR drink of the Holy Water, believed by the Georgians Tbilisi is a city built in the lush green valley of the Kura to heal all types of illness. We then arrive at the old River. It is a jewel of the Upper Caucasian region with town of Sighnaghi. The town is perched on a hill unique Eurasian architecture, beautiful churches, from where we can enjoy the magnificent view of traditional houses with wooden balconies and the valley of the River Alazany and the Caucasus courtyards. We will take the aerial cable car which mountains. We then travel to Nekresi Monastery, crosses the River Kura, a unique experience which Gremi Monastery and Alaverdi Monastery. Return offers panoramic views of the city and the valley. to Tbilisi. Dinner. Overnight.

Day 5: Tuesday 19th May 2020

ANCIENT CITY MTSKHETA (UNESCO), TSILKANI AND SHIO MGVIME After breakfast we will visit Jvari (world heritage – UNESCO monument). This is followed by a visit to Tsilkani Church. We continue on to the previous old capital city of Georgia, Mtskheta (UNESCO city). We visit the Holy Monastery of Shio Mvgime and to the Catholic Cathedral of Georgia Svetitiskhoveli. We then stop at the Samtavro Monastery. Return to Tbilisi. Dinner. Overnight.

Day 6: Wednesday 20th May 2020

TBILISI - ISTANBUL After breakfast, depart for the Monastery of Holy Trinity Gergeti, time and conditions permitting. Afternoon transfer to the Tbilisi Airport for Istanbul. Arrival at Ataturk Airport and meet with our local guide. Transfer to the hotel and check-in. Dinner. Overnight.

Day 7: Thursday 21st May 2020

CHURCH OF AGIOS KONSTANTINOS AND ELENIS, PHANARI AND VLACHERNA CHURCH Early departure for Tarlabasi in the Pera area where we will attend the service at the Church of Agios Konstantinos and Elenis, which is considered the pride and jewel of Hellenism. We will then visit the Orthodox Ecumenical Patriarchate of Istanbul. We continue by coach to Vlacherna Church. Return to the Eminonou area where we will explore the Egyptian Spice Bazaar, which dates back to the 17th Century. It is one of the busiest areas of Istanbul, since the time of the Ottoman empire until today, since it is still very popular with the locals. Dinner. Overnight.

Day 9: Saturday 23rd May 2020

CHORA MONASTERY MUSEUM, BOSPHORUS CRUISE, CHALKIDONA

Meeting with our tour guide and departure for a tour of the city starting with a visit to the Church of St Mary of the Spring (Zodoxou Pigi) at Baloukli. The

Church of the Life Giving Spring of the Panagia is a Holy Christian Sanctification outside the eastern wall of Silivri, also the location of the “Palaces of the Springs” the Byzantine Emperors’ summer residences. We will then begin our tour of the Chora Monastery which is also a museum, famous for its multi-coloured mosaics and frescoes. We will then board a private boat and enjoy a cruise on the Bosphorus straits which divide the European and the Asian sides. Following a winding route we will admire the green hills, the mosques, the castles, th the beautiful 19 Century homes, the picturesque villages and the baroque buildings of the last Ottoman Sultans. We will disembark on the Asian Day 8: Friday 22nd May2020 side and board the coach to visit the area of Chalkidona. We will return to our hotel via the PRINCES’ ISLANDS Bosphorus bridge. Dinner. Overnight. Today after breakfast we will visit 2 of the Prince’s Islands which are considered Istanbul’s paradise with an entirely different charm from the rest of the city. We will board a private boat and our first destination will be Halki island, where we will visit the Theological School, at the highest point of the island. We will then travel by boat to the largest of the islands, Büyükada (Pringipo). The islands are famous for their mild climate, lush vegetation and beautifully decorated Ottoman houses, as well as the absence of cars. A unique experience. We will have free time in Pringipo and lunch ( cost not included) in a local restaurant by the sea. Return to the hotel. Dinner. Overnight.

Day 10: Sunday 24th May 2020

AGIA SOFIA, GRAND BAZAAR ISTANBUL-TEL AVIV After breakfast we will board our coach to visit Agia Sofia, a world class masterpiece of architecture. An imposing Church built in the years of the Emperor Justinian between 532 and 537 Β.C.. The Grand Opening was on the 27th December 537 by the Emperor himself who according to legend pronounced: ‘’Νενικηκα σε Σολομών’’ (I have defeated you Solomon) meaning that Agia Sofia surpassed in beauty and grandeur, the Temple of Solomon in Jerusalem. We will go shopping at the Grand Bazaar, one of the biggest of its kind, with over 3500 shops. We then transfer to the airport where we depart for Tel Aviv. Arrival at Ben Gurion Airport, meet with our guide Day 12: Tuesday 26th May 2020 and transfer to our hotel. MOUNT TABOR – NAZARETH – CANA – GALILEE – Dinner. Overnight. JORDAN RIVER

Day 11: Monday 25th May 2020 Breakfast and departure for Galilee and Mount Tabor, the site of the Transfiguration of our Lord. We will JERUSALEM ascend by taxi to the peak of the Mount, where the Monastery of the Transfiguration of the Saviour is After breakfast, we begin our Pilgrimage with the located. We then proceed by coach to the Church of Temple of the Holy Resurrection, the Holy Tomb of our the Annunciation at Nazareth. East of Nazareth on the Lord, and the route of the “Way of Suffering” to way to Lake Tiberias we arrive at Cana of Galilee, the Golgotha and the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. We scene of the first miracle of our Lord - the turning of the reach the prison of Christ, and the prison of St Peter, water into wine. Inside the Church, we will see 2 of the the Pool of Bethesda and the Birthplace of the Virgin 6 stone urns of the miracle. On the coast of Lake Mary, the home of her parents, Joachim and Anna. Tiberias is the ancient city of Capernaum, which Christ We will then visit the Greek Orthodox Ecumenical made the centre of His earthly deeds. We will visit the Patriarchate of Jerusalem where we will be received Monastery of the Holy Apostles which was built on top by His Beatitude the Patriarch of Jerusalem of the old ruins. The city Tiberias is located on the Theophilos. southwest part of the Lake. Lunch with fish (cost not Transfer to the hotel. included) from Lake Gennisaret also known as the Sea of Tiberias and boat trip on the lake. Return to hotel. Dinner. Overnight. Dinner. Overnight.

DAY 14: Thursday 28th May 2020

BETHLEHEM- LOD-ATHENS After breakfast we visit the Basilica of the Nativity to venerate the Cave and the Manger where the Lord was born. Departure for the Holy Monastery of St Savva (inaccessible to women), and the Holy Monastery of Abba Theodosius. We drive through the Village of the Shepherds on the way to visit the Monastery of Saint Simeon Katamonas and the Monastery of the Holy Cross. We continue to Gethsemane, where we will worship at the Shrine of the Mother of God and the Shrines of Joachim and

Anna and St Joseph and the Holy Monastery of St Stephen. Visit to Mount Zion, the Room of the Last Supper (Cenacle), the house of St John Theologian, and the Tomb of David. Depart at 3:00pm for a visit to the Monastery of St George at Lod. Transfer to the airport for our direct flight to “El. Venizelos” Athens airport.

Day 13: Wednesday 27th May 2020

BETHANY– HOZEVA – JERICHO Breakfast and then departure for the city of Bethany, where we will visit the Holy Monastery of Martha and

Maria. We continue on to the Holy Monastery of Saint George the Hozevite in the Judean desert at the gorge of Ainon where we will worship at the Cave where Prophet Elias lived as a hermit. We continue to the Holy Monastery of Abba Gerasimus of the Jordan which is considered to be the oldest in Palestine. Next we visit the Jordan River at the actual site of the Baptism of our Lord across from Jordan. There will be a sanctification service and for those that wish it,

Baptism of the Pilgrims. We continue to the Holy Monastery of the Prophet Elisha of Jericho and Zacchaeus' sycamore tree and after passing the city of Jericho we will visit the Sarantarion Mountain or Mountain of Temptation by taxi, where the Lord stayed for 40 days fasting and praying before beginning His deeds for people’s salvation. Return to the hotel. Dinner. Attend evening Liturgy (Agrypnia) at the Temple of the Holy Resurrection. Overnight. Tour Ends !!!

Price: $6950 per person in a double room for departures from Australia $5950 per person in a double room for departures from Greece $1600 single supplement

The price includes: • Airfares from Australia - Georgia – Turkey – Israel – Greece - Australia • Greek/English speaking Tour leader from our office • Accommodation in 4* star hotels in Georgia, Istanbul, and Holy Land • Breakfast and dinner included • Greek/English speaking local tour guide as per program • Air-conditioned coach • Transfers to/from the hotel with tour guide/tour leader • Entry tickets to sites as stated in the program • Airport taxes

Not included: • Lunch and tickets • Turkish visa fee • Travel Insurance • Tips 70 Euro • Drinks with meals • Optional events in the program • Personal expenses

The program for the Holy Land may be subject to change according to the wishes of the Patriarchate of Jerusalem

We kindly request that you are modestly attired on the Pilgrimages.

*** Premium Holidays reserves the right to change the program as it considers necessary.

Dream Voyager Pty Ltd (Trading As: PREMIUM HOLIDAYS)

ABN 22 122 651 236 T/A LIC Number 2TA 07358