Question 1

What is the Pilgrimage of Discovery?

Accepted Answer

The Pilgrimage of Discovery is the gift of a religious-educational journey that visits historic sites around Constantinople and includes a special audience with His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew. The Pilgrimage of Discovery will select up to eighteen young adult leaders, women and men, from the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America and Orthodox Christian ecclesiastical jurisdictions in the United States under the authority of the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople (i.e. Albanian Orthodox Diocese of America; American Carpatho-Russian Orthodox Diocese; Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the USA; Vicariate for Palestinian-Jordanian Orthodox Communities in the USA; or Vicariate for the Orthodox Communities of Slavic Tradition in the USA). This peer journey features religious and cultural immersion, in-depth discussions led by subject matter experts, and an opportunity for open dialogue with His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew. The Pilgrimage of Discovery is a rare opportunity for the selected young adults to have a transformative and immersive spiritual experience in Constantinople and to grow in their Orthodox Christian faith.

Question 2

What are the dates of the Pilgrimage of Discovery?

Accepted Answer

The anticipated dates of travel are August 1-8, 2026. Please go to www.pilgrimageofdiscovery.org (http://www.pilgrimageofdiscovery.org/)for the latest information on the dates of travel.

Question 3

What is included in the Pilgrimage of Discovery?

Accepted Answer

Travel expenses will be paid for up to eighteen young adults that are selected, including flights, all transportation while in Turkey, and entrance fees to programmed sites. The Pilgrimage of Discovery will be seven days/six nights and will also include all hotel accommodations (double occupancy), breakfasts, and dinners. Incidentals, personal expenses, and any additional meals will be the responsibility of the participants.

Question 4

Which sites will be visited on the Pilgrimage of Discovery?

Accepted Answer

Although subject to change, the Pilgrimage of Discovery itinerary will visit: Hagia Sophia (recently converted to a mosque) to witness the epitome of Byzantine architecture and mosaics; Zoodochos Pigi Church at Balukli to receive holy water from the life-giving spring and to see where former Patriarchs are buried; the historic Chora Church (recently converted to a mosque) to marvel at the church's famed Byzantine mosaics; Hagios Demetrios Church in Kuruçesme where the faithful walk through a tight, dark cave in the church to receive holy water from the life-giving spring; and old, Greek ‘Pera’ to see structures that show evidence of thriving Greek culture in Constantinople prior to the 21st century. The young adults will journey on a private charter boat trip through the Bosphorus and into the Sea of Marmara to the Princes' Island, Heybeliada, and will ride in electric vehicles to visit Halki Seminary, founded in 1871 by the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople to train Greek Orthodox priests and later closed by the Turkish government in 1971. A highlight of the Pilgrimage of Discovery will be visiting the Ecumenical Patriarchate at the Phanar, praying at St. George Church within the Phanar, and having an audience with His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew. There will also be time to explore the city freely after dinners, and so much more!

Question 5

Will the young adults be able to meet with His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew?

Accepted Answer

Yes. The young adults will be scheduled to have an audience together with His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew where they will have the opportunity to engage in open dialogue.

Question 6

How is the Pilgrimage of Discovery being funded?

Accepted Answer

The Pilgrimage of Discovery is being funded by the Archons of the Ecumenical Patriarchate and by charitable contributions from generous donors across the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America and Orthodox Christian jurisdictions in the United States under the authority of the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople.

Question 7

What is the "Archons of the Ecumenical Patriarchate"?

Accepted Answer

The Archons of the Ecumenical Patriarchate is a group of passionate leaders, relentlessly focused on protecting religious freedom for everyone and ensuring the future of the Ecumenical Patriarchate—the spiritual center of the world’s 300+ million Orthodox Christians.

Question 8

Where can more information be found about the Archons of the Ecumenical Patriarchate?

Accepted Answer

Information on the Archons of the Ecumenical Patriarchate can be found at www.archons.org(https://protect-eu.mimecast.com/s/jrJzCPMvNT3pDmD2sVO79w?domain=archons.org)

Question 9

Where will updates be posted?

Accepted Answer

Updates will be posted at www.pilgrimageofdiscovery.org (https://www.pilgrimageofdiscovery.org/)and at the Pilgrimage of Discovery Instagram and Facebook pages.

Question 10

What is the age requirement of applicants for the Pilgrimage of Discovery?

Accepted Answer

Applicants must be age 23 to 30 on August 1, 2026

Question 11

How will young adults apply and be selected for the Pilgrimage of Discovery?

Accepted Answer

As per the Pilgrimage of Discovery application instructions and Eligibility Requirements, each eligible applicant must submit one application through the Pilgrimage of Discovery application portal by the published deadline date for applicants. Moreover, as per the application instructions and Eligibility Requirements, recommendations must be submitted by two recommenders for each eligible applicant through the Pilgrimage of Discovery portal by the published deadline for recommenders. Complete applications will then be forwarded to the Pilgrimage of Discovery Selection Committee for a blind review. Only the ecclesiastical region/ecclesiastical jurisdiction and gender of each applicant will be made known to the Selection Committee members. The names of recommenders and applicants will also be removed from all recommendations as part of the review process before recommendations are considered by the Selection Committee. The Pilgrimage of Discovery Selection Committee is responsible for selecting up to eighteen young adults total from all eligible applicants. In its sole discretion, the Pilgrimage of Discovery Selection Committee may select less or more than eighteen young adult recipients. One recipient will be selected from each respective metropolis of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America and from the Archdiocesan District of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America—if eligible young adults have applied from those respective ecclesiastical regions—for a total of up to nine recipients. The other Pilgrimage of Discovery recipients will be selected from the remaining cohort of eligible applicants irrespective of the applicants’ ecclesiastical regions within the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America (i.e. metropolises or the Archdiocesan District) or the applicants’ Orthodox Christian ecclesiastical jurisdictions in the United States under the authority of the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople (i.e. Albanian Orthodox Diocese of America; American Carpatho-Russian Orthodox Diocese; Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the USA; Vicariate for Palestinian-Jordanian Orthodox Communities in the USA; or Vicariate for the Orthodox Communities of Slavic Tradition in the USA). Any ecclesiastical region of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America (i.e. any metropolis of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America or the Archdiocesan District of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America) that does not have an eligible young adult apply from its territory by the application deadline will forfeit the opportunity to have a young adult from that ecclesiastical region travel on the Pilgrimage of Discovery. In such a case, the Pilgrimage of Discovery Selection Committee may select any other eligible applicant without regard to ecclesiastical region or ecclesiastical jurisdiction to fill an opening that was originally designated for any of the nine ecclesiastical regions of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America that may be without an applicant. In addition to selecting up to eighteen young adult recipients total from all eligible applicants, the Pilgrimage of Discovery Selection Committee will select four young adults as alternates without regard to ecclesiastical region or ecclesiastical jurisdiction to serve as potential replacements for any of the up to eighteen young adult recipients who may become unable to participate in the Pilgrimage of Discovery.

Question 12

From which Orthodox Christian ecclesiastical regions or jurisdictions are young adults eligible to apply for the Pilgrimage of Discovery?

Accepted Answer

Any young adult may submit an application for the Pilgrimage of Discovery who meets the eligibility requirements as an Orthodox Christian in good standing at a parish in the United States that is either: a) within an ecclesiastical region of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America from which the applicant is applying (i.e. Archdiocesan District; Metropolis of Atlanta; Metropolis of Boston; Metropolis of Chicago; Metropolis of Denver; Metropolis of Detroit; Metropolis of New Jersey; Metropolis of Pittsburgh; or Metropolis of San Francisco); or b) within an Orthodox Christian ecclesiastical jurisdiction in the United States under the authority of the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople from which the applicant is applying (i.e. Albanian Orthodox Diocese of America; American Carpatho-Russian Orthodox Diocese; Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the USA; Vicariate for Palestinian-Jordanian Orthodox Communities in the USA; or Vicariate for the Orthodox Communities of Slavic Tradition in the USA). Young adults belonging to Orthodox jurisdictions not listed here are ineligible for the Pilgrimage of Discovery. Each eligible applicant is only permitted to submit one application for the Pilgrimage of Discovery 2026.

Question 13

What are the nine ecclesiastical regions of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America from which young adults are eligible to apply for the Pilgrimage of Discovery?

Accepted Answer

The Archdiocesan District (i.e. greater New York area and northern suburbs; upstate New York, Long Island; the western half of Connecticut; Washington, D.C.); Metropolis of Atlanta; Metropolis of Boston; Metropolis of Chicago; Metropolis of Denver; Metropolis of Detroit; Metropolis of New Jersey; Metropolis of Pittsburgh; Metropolis of San Francisco.

Question 14

What are the other Orthodox Christian ecclesiastical jurisdictions in the United States under the authority of the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople from which young adults are eligible to apply for the Pilgrimage of Discovery?

Accepted Answer

The Albanian Orthodox Diocese of America; American Carpatho-Russian Orthodox Diocese; Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the USA; Vicariate for Palestinian-Jordanian Orthodox Communities in the USA; and Vicariate for the Orthodox Communities of Slavic Tradition in the USA.

Question 15

If a young adult would like to apply for the Pilgrimage of Discovery but they are not sure to which ecclesiastical region of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America they belong, how can they learn this?

Accepted Answer

The young adult should contact their parish office to ascertain the ecclesiastical region of their parish at which they are in good standing within Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America.

Question 16

If a young adult would like to apply for the Pilgrimage of Discovery but they are not sure if their Orthodox Christian ecclesiastical jurisdiction in the United States is under the authority of the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople, how can they learn this?

Accepted Answer

The young adult should contact their parish office to ascertain if the Orthodox Christian ecclesiastical jurisdiction of the parish at which the young adult is in good standing is within one of the following eligible jurisdictions in the United States under the authority of the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople: Albanian Orthodox Diocese of America; American Carpatho-Russian Orthodox Diocese; Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the USA; Vicariate for Palestinian-Jordanian Communities in the USA; or Vicariate for the Communities of Slavic Tradition in the USA.

Question 17

If a young adult would like to apply for the Pilgrimage of Discovery but they are not in good standing at a participating church parish, is that young adult eligible to apply?

Accepted Answer

No. Only a young adult that meets the eligibility requirements as an Orthodox Christian in good standing at a parish in the United States that is either: a) within an ecclesiastical region of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America from which the applicant is applying (i.e. Archdiocesan District; Metropolis of Atlanta; Metropolis of Boston; Metropolis of Chicago; Metropolis of Denver; Metropolis of Detroit; Metropolis of New Jersey; Metropolis of Pittsburgh; or Metropolis of San Francisco); or b) within an Orthodox Christian ecclesiastical jurisdiction in the United States under the authority of the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople from which the applicant is applying (i.e. Albanian Orthodox Diocese of America; American Carpatho-Russian Orthodox Diocese; Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the USA; Vicariate for Palestinian-Jordanian Communities in the USA; or Vicariate for the Communities of Slavic Tradition in the USA) may submit an application for the Pilgrimage of Discovery. Young adults belonging to other Orthodox Christian jurisdictions not listed here are ineligible for the Pilgrimage of Discovery.

Question 18

How is “good standing” defined by the Pilgrimage of Discovery for a young adult from an Orthodox Christian church parish within the United States?

Accepted Answer

“Good standing” is defined as: 1) having been baptized and chrismated according to the rites of the Orthodox Church; 2) adhering to and living according to the tenets of the Orthodox faith in religious, moral and social practices; 3) faithfully attending the divine liturgy and other worship services; 4) participating regularly in the holy sacraments; 5) respecting all ecclesiastical authority and all governing bodies of the Church and being obedient in matters of faith, practice, and ecclesiastical order; and 6) contributing towards the progress of the Church's sacred mission.

Question 19

How many recommendations is each young adult required to have for their Pilgrimage of Discovery application?

Accepted Answer

Two. Each young adult applicant must have one recommendation submitted by an Orthodox Christian priest/presbyter and a second recommendation submitted by an Orthodox Christian member of the laity.

Question 20

What should a young adult consider when deciding which priest/presbyter to ask for a recommendation?

Accepted Answer

A young adult applicant should consider seeking a recommendation from a priest/presbyter who knows the applicant well and can speak to the applicant’s history, character, stability, strengths, leadership, devotion, good standing within the Orthodox Church, and suitability for the Pilgrimage of Discovery. Priest/Presbyter recommendations may only be submitted by an Orthodox priest/presbyter (not a deacon or a bishop) from any ecclesiastical region of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America (i.e. a metropolis of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America or from the Archdiocesan District of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America) or from an Orthodox Christian ecclesiastical jurisdiction in the United States under the authority of the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople. Priests/presbyters belonging to other Orthodox Christian jurisdictions that are not under the authority of the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople are ineligible to write recommendations for applicants to the Pilgrimage of Discovery. Finally, an immediate family member, grandfather, uncle, Godparent, or any person related by three degrees of consanguinity or affinity may not serve as a priest/presbyter recommender for an applicant.

Question 21

If a young adult would like a recommendation from a particular Orthodox Christian priest/presbyter, but the priest/presbyter in question is not a priest/presbyter at the young adult’s own parish or from the young adult's own ecclesiastical region or jurisdiction, is that priest/presbyter permitted to write the young adult’s recommendation?

Accepted Answer

Yes, with some restrictions. Since young adults ages 23-30 are so transient, recommendations are permitted from a priest/presbyter (not from a deacon or bishop) that is not a priest/presbyter from the young adult’s own parish, ecclesiastical region, or jurisdiction, as long as the priest/presbyter is a member of the clergy within an ecclesiastical region of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America or within an Orthodox Christian ecclesiastical jurisdiction in the United States under the authority of the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople (i.e. Albanian Orthodox Diocese of America; American Carpatho-Russian Orthodox Diocese; Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the USA; Vicariate for Palestinian-Jordanian Orthodox Communities in the USA; or Vicariate for the Orthodox Communities of Slavic Tradition in the USA). Priests/presbyters belonging to other Orthodox Christian jurisdictions not listed here are ineligible to write recommendations for applicants to the Pilgrimage of Discovery.

Question 22

What should a young adult consider when deciding which Orthodox Christian member of the laity to ask for a recommendation?

Accepted Answer

A young adult applicant should consider seeking a recommendation from an Orthodox Christian member of the laity (not clergy) living within the United States who knows the applicant well and can speak to the applicant’s history, character, stability, strengths, leadership, devotion, and suitability for the Pilgrimage of Discovery. However, an immediate family member, grandparent, aunt, uncle, Godparent, or any person related by three degrees of consanguinity or affinity may not serve as a recommender for an applicant.

Question 23

Are there different due dates for applications and for recommendations?

Accepted Answer

Yes. The application is due January 31, 2026 by 11:59 pm CT. Recommendations are due February 7, 2026 by 11:59 pm CT.  If there are changes to any of those dates, they will be published on www.pilgrimageofdiscovery.org (https://www.pilgrimageofdiscovery.org/). The applicant is responsible to communicate well in advance with their recommenders to ensure they know the questions they will be requested to answer and to make sure they receive a link that will be sent to them via an automated message from the Pilgrimage of Discovery application portal. The applicant will provide each recommender’s email address when prompted in the application. These email addresses will be used to directly send to the recommenders a recommendation link which will allow them to access the recommendation form. Recommenders will be prompted to answer specific recommendation questions directly on the portal.

Recommendation links will only be sent to recommenders once the applicant has submitted their completed application on the application portal. Recommenders must submit their recommendations by following the link that is sent via the application portal. Although recommenders may save and exit the application portal in order to return later to continue writing their recommendations, completed recommendations will only be submitted by recommenders when they finally click the “SUBMIT” button on the application portal. It is advisable for recommenders to first answer all recommendation questions on their own MS Word doc and then to copy/paste their answers into the portal before finally clicking the “SUBMIT” button on the application portal.

Late recommendations will not be accepted and will result in an incomplete application for the applicant. It is the responsibility of the applicant to ensure that recommenders have submitted their recommendations by the published deadline date for recommenders.

Question 24

If a young adult applied to the Pilgrimage of Discovery in a previous year but was not selected as a Pilgrimage of Discovery recipient, can that person apply again this year?

Accepted Answer

Yes. An applicant that was not selected as Pilgrimage of Discovery recipient in a previous year may apply again this year if they meet the other eligibility requirements.

Question 25

If a young adult was selected as an alternate for the Pilgrimage of Discovery in a previous year but did not travel on the Pilgrimage of Discovery, can that person apply again this year?

Accepted Answer

Yes. If an applicant was selected as an alternate for the Pilgrimage of Discovery in a previous year but has not traveled on the Pilgrimage of Discovery, they may apply again this year if they meet the other eligibility requirements.

Question 26

Are siblings permitted to apply to the Pilgrimage of Discovery?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Siblings are permitted to apply to the Pilgrimage of Discovery.

Question 27

If someone is married, can that person apply to the Pilgrimage of Discovery?

Accepted Answer

No. Individuals that are married are not eligible to apply to the Pilgrimage of Discovery.

Question 28

If someone is a deacon, priest/presbyter, bishop, monk, nun, or monastic novice, can they apply to the Pilgrimage of Discovery?

Accepted Answer

No. Deacons, priests/presbyters, bishops, monks, nuns, and monastic novices are not eligible to apply to the Pilgrimage of Discovery.

Question 29

Is it permissible to use artificial intelligence (AI) to help write the application for the Pilgrimage of Discovery?

Accepted Answer

No. Applicants may not use artificial intelligence (AI) to assist with the drafting, writing, and/or completion of Pilgrimage of Discovery applications. AI essays are easy to detect, whereas the Pilgrimage of Discovery seeks to understand the heart and insights of applicants. Any applicant detected to have used artificial intelligence to assist with their essays or to complete their application will be disqualified. Such determinations will be at the sole discretion of the Pilgrimage of Discovery Selection Committee.

Question 30

Does Turkey Meet United States ADA Accessibility Standards?

Accepted Answer

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act are laws that pertain to accommodations and public access that are enforced only in the United States. While the country of Turkey maintains some legal protections, the same types of accommodations available in the United States may not be available in Turkey. The Pilgrimage of Discovery program requires a moderate level of physical exertion such as walking distances, boarding buses, boarding planes, boarding boats, riding in open-air vehicles, climbing uphill roads, walking up and down stairs, walking on uneven streets, walking with crowds, etc.

Question 31

How will the participants travel to Turkey?

Accepted Answer

The selected young adults will either: a) travel from a US international airport designated by the Pilgrimage of Discovery for round trip air travel to Istanbul that is included and paid for as part of the Pilgrimage of Discovery; or b) make independent travel arrangements only with prior written permission granted by the Pilgrimage of Discovery so as to arrive in Istanbul by the designated start date/time of the Pilgrimage of Discovery. Such independent travel will be reimbursed up to $1500. Those young adults granted permission to make independent travel arrangements to and from Istanbul will be required to submit receipts detailing specifics on dates, times, airlines/flight numbers, costs, etc. for all flights to and from Turkey in order to receive reimbursement.

Question 32

How will the participants get around in Turkey?

Accepted Answer

The young adults will travel around Turkey by private motor coach and by private charter boat. The young adults should also be prepared for a moderate level of walking and physical exertion that will be necessary on the Pilgrimage of Discovery.

Question 33

Do the participants need to have health insurance coverage that is valid in Turkey while on the Pilgrimage of Discovery?

Accepted Answer

Yes. The young adults who are selected for the Pilgrimage of Discovery will be required to demonstrate proof of health insurance that provides coverage for them while in Turkey and while transferring through any international airports that may be used. Such health insurance coverage will be at the participants’ own expense. Those participants who do not already have a health insurance policy that covers them for travel to and in Turkey can purchase short-term travel health insurance from a provider not affiliated with the Pilgrimage of Discovery.

Question 34

What will a typical day be like on the Pilgrimage of Discovery?

Accepted Answer

A typical day will include breakfast at the group’s hotel, travel by private motor coach to interesting sites in or around Constantinople, learning about history, culture, and religion, sharing life-changing experiences with other Orthodox Christian young adults, enjoying local cuisine, meeting new people, having fun, and growing in an Orthodox spiritual journey of discovery.

Question 35

Will there be any opportunities to attend church services on the Pilgrimage of Discovery?

Accepted Answer

Yes. The young adults will attend worship services at churches around Constantinople, including a scheduled opportunity to pray at St. George Church within the Phanar.

Question 36

Will there be any opportunities to meet members of the Rum (i.e. Greek)  Orthodox Christian community in Constantinople on the Pilgrimage of Discovery?

Accepted Answer

Yes. The young adults will have opportunities to meet Orthodox Christian members of the laity and clergy living in Constantinople/Istanbul who will share their experiences with the young adults.

Question 37

How will the participants stay in touch with their families and friends while on the Pilgrimage of Discovery?

Accepted Answer

The use of a mobile telephone is an excellent option for staying in touch with family and friends as long as the phone is able to operate at the correct GSM frequencies for mobile phone service in Turkey. Participants should check with their mobile telephone carrier for specifics regarding mobile phone service in Turkey.

Question 38

Will the participants need spending money on the Pilgrimage of Discovery?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Young adults should have spending money for incidentals, personal expenses, and any additional meals that are not included on the Pilgrimage of Discovery.

Question 39

How will the participants pay for incidentals, personal expenses, and any additional meals in Turkey?

Accepted Answer

The selected young adults should take some US currency with them to Turkey. However, using Apple Pay or Google Pay linked to debit or credit cards is a very convenient way to pay for incidentals, personal expenses, and additional meals that are not included on the Pilgrimage of Discovery. ATM machines are also widely available throughout Istanbul. Participants should check with their debit or credit card companies for specifics regarding exchange rates and fees for transactions in Turkey.

Question 40

What is the dress code on the Pilgrimage of Discovery?

Accepted Answer

The weather will likely be hot, but participants should dress modestly and tastefully while on the Pilgrimage of Discovery. For daily excursions to churches and monasteries, men are advised to wear dress pants and short sleeve polo shirts or dress shirts. Women are advised to wear dresses or skirts that fall below the knees, and shirts or blouses that cover the shoulders. For more formal occasions such as visiting the Ecumenical Patriarchate or attending divine liturgy, men are advised to wear ties with sport jackets or suits, while women are advised to wear dresses. In general, shorts, blue jeans, tank tops, and spaghetti-strap blouses are not appropriate outside the hotel.

Question 41

Do the participants need to know how to speak Greek or Turkish?

Accepted Answer

No. Proficiency in Greek or Turkish is not necessary to participate in the Pilgrimage of Discovery. Information conveyed by subject matter experts on the Pilgrimage of Discovery will be in English.

Question 42

Will the participants need a valid passport?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Passports are required and must be valid for at least six months beyond the travelers’ entry date into Turkey. Also, there must be at least one blank page remaining in passports for entry and exit stamps.

Question 43

Will the participants need a visa to enter Turkey?

Accepted Answer

American passport holders do not currently need to obtain a visa for tourist travel to Turkey.

Question 44

What airports will the participants use in the USA for the Pilgrimage of Discovery?

Accepted Answer

Those young adults using round trip air travel to Istanbul that is included and paid for as part of the Pilgrimage of Discovery will travel from a convenient US international airport designated by the Pilgrimage of Discovery. Those young adults granted permission by the Pilgrimage of Discovery to make independent travel arrangements so as to arrive in Istanbul by the designated start date/time of the Pilgrimage of Discovery will use airports of their own choosing.

Question 45

Will the journey include tour guides or others who will travel with the participants in Turkey?

Accepted Answer

The young adults will travel on daily excursions in Turkey accompanied by several Archons of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, with subject matter experts from the Pilgrimage of Discovery, and with a licensed tour guide.

Question 46

What will be expected of the participants before they depart for Turkey?

Accepted Answer

After the Pilgrimage of Discovery, the young adults will travel and share experiences at various parishes and locations within their ecclesiastical regions/jurisdictions from time to time as Archon Ambassadors as part of the Alumni Leadership Network for up to two years following the Pilgrimage of Discovery. The young adults will help to expand awareness about the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople, the Pilgrimage of Discovery, and the Archons of the Ecumenical Patriarchate. Such travel will be at the applicant’s own expense unless prior arrangements have been approved by the Alumni Leadership Network, the Pilgrimage of Discovery, or Archons of the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople.

Question 47

What will be expected of the participants after they return home?

Accepted Answer

After the Pilgrimage of Discovery, the young adults will travel and share experiences at various parishes and locations within their ecclesiastical regions/jurisdictions from time to time as Archon Ambassadors as part of the Alumni Leadership Network for up to two years following the Pilgrimage of Discovery. The young adults will help to expand awareness about the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople, the Pilgrimage of Discovery, and the Archons of the Ecumenical Patriarchate. Such travel will be at the applicant’s own expense unless prior arrangements have been approved by the Alumni Leadership Network, the Pilgrimage of Discovery, or Archons of the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople.

Question 48

Will the Pilgrimage of Discovery have any impact on the participants?

Accepted Answer

Yes, it will! This life-changing experience will help the young adults grow in their Orthodox Christian faith, better connect with their religious traditions, and more deeply understand the relevance of the Ecumenical Patriarchate as the young adults lead the Orthodox Church into the future. This immersive journey will create a lasting impact on the young adults’ identity, faith, family, community and culture, while helping secure the continuity of the Orthodox Church.

Question 49

Whom do I contact for a press kit, more information, or an interview?

Accepted Answer

Contact Cally Kobza at ckobza10@gmail.com (ckobza10@gmail.com)

Question 50

Whom do I contact with questions about the Pilgrimage of Discovery?

Accepted Answer

Contact pilgrimageofdiscovery@gmail.com(mailto:pilgrimageofdiscovery@gmail.com)

Eligibility Requirements

2026 Applications Closed 1/31/26

Stay Turned for Awarded Recipient News!
All applicants notified April 13, 2026

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Questions?

Eligibility Requirements

2026 Applications Closed 1/31/26 Stay Turned for Awarded Recipient News! All applicants notified April 13, 2026

FOLLOW US ON

Be First To Learn Updates

Questions?

2026 Applications Closed 1/31/26

Stay Turned for Awarded Recipient News!
All applicants notified April 13, 2026