Three Thessaloniki cyclists arrive in Trabzon for a pilgrimage to Panagia Soumela Monastery

They traveled nearly 2,000 kilometers, tested their resilience and “with the help of the Mother of Christ”, as they said, they met their goal: Three cyclists from Thessaloniki - Pantelis Tzertzevelis (47), Vassilis Giosmas (41) and Panagiotis Sotiriadis (67) - set off from Panagia Soumela Monastery on Mount Vermio in Imathia prefecture, northern Greece, on August 1 and almost two weeks later they reached their destination, the historical Panagia Soumela Monastery in Trabzon, Turkey.

On the feast of the Dormition of the Virgin Mary, celebrated on Friday, August 15, they will visit the monastery to make their pilgrimage and leave their offerings, including those entrusted to them by people they had met along the way. They will also light the candles they brought with them from the monastery on Mt. Vermio.

Pantelis Tzertzevelis told ANA-MPA that the toughest part of the journey was the mountains they had to cross in Turkey, starting 200 kilometers after Istanbul up to Sinop. “The Mother of Christ helped us and gave us the strength to keep pedalling. We gave everything in this effort,” he underlined.

He also praised the Turkish people for their support along the way, noting that they had made many friends out of nowhere and their endeavour was covered by local media