Apply! 2025 Pilgrimage of Discovery Applications Now Open!
See 2025 Application Details.
Pilgrimage of Discovery
The Pilgrimage of Discovery annual program is a 7-day, all-expense paid, religious and cultural annual summer journey to Constantinople awarded to Orthodox Christian young adults across America, connecting them with their ancestral religious roots. Participants deepen their Orthodox faith through a curated, guided experience, exploring holy sites, having a private audience with His All Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, and much more. This immersive journey creates a lasting impact on identity, faith, family, community and culture and helps secure the continuity of the Orthodox church from a grassroots level.
FUNDED BY
ARCHONS OF THE ECUMENICAL PATRIARCHATE
AND BY CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTIONS FROM GENEROUS DONORS ACROSS THE GREEK ORTHODOX ARCHDIOCESE OF AMERICA
Journey Experience
The Pilgrimage of Discovery is a religious-educational journey to Constantinople that includes an audience with His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew and guided visits to historic sites. It is the opportunity of a lifetime for up to sixteen young adult leaders, women and men, from the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America to be awarded the gift of a transformative and immersive experience in Constantinople, the Queen of Cities (present day Istanbul).
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In addition to visiting historic sites, participants will be scheduled to meet with His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew where they will have the opportunity to engage in open dialogue.
See Highlights from the 2024 Pilgrimage
Applications Are Now Open! Apply Here!
Angelique Soulakos
Peachtree City, GA | '24 Participant
I appreciate all you have done and will do for us and future pilgrims. We are greatly impacting the next generation.
His All Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew
…a wonderful opportunity for the faithful of all ages to explore their spiritual roots, connect with fellow believers in these historical lands, enriching the lives of those who embark upon it and deepen their understanding of the orthodox faith.
Peter Kokkinias
Chicago, IL | '24 Participant
Thank you for everything on this trip. It has been the best trip/experience i've ever had. I can never thank you enough.