Εκδηλώσεις της Στενής Πύλης

Coming to know the living Orthodox heritage of the British Isles

Amongst the elders of Optina arose the spiritual counsel that the Church of Christ will rise in force again in the west once the Orthodox Christians there begin fully to revere their local saints. The pilgrimage organised by the Diocese through various sites in England and Scotland aims to encourage just this, by visiting and praying at a host of sites associated with Orthodox saints of these islands. We also organise a separate pilgrimage to Ireland.

Beginning in Edinburgh and working gradually southwards over the course of seven days, pilgrims are brought to holy places associated with spirtiual giants of Holy Orthodoxy: St Bede and St Cuthbert, St Chad of Lichfield, St Augustine of Canterbury, St Gregory the Great, St Aidan of Lindisfarne, St Constantine the Great and his mother, St Helena, St Margaret, St Alban the Protomartyr of Britain — as well as equally important Orthodox saints of the regions that might be less well-known to some, but whose veneration will become heightened by learning of their lives and visiting the sites of their spiritual contests: St Frideswide of Oxford, St Alphege, St Ethelred, and others.

 

 

When and where?Friday 10th July 2026 – Sunday 12th July 2026Start: 11am Mass at the Rochester Corn Exchangefollowed by rendez-vous outside Rochester Cathedral for 12:30pm departure Finish: St. Augustine's Abbey at approximately 4:00pmThe Pilgrimage starts hereAdult ChapterPilgrims in this chapter will have:An earlier departure from the campsitesFarther to walk, with water stops every 3–4 milesTo provide their own lunch (optional lunch package available)How long is the Adult Chapter route?Friday: Approximately 13 milesSaturday: Approximately 17 milesSunday: Approximately 12milesClick here to see the adult chapter routeFamily ChapterPilgrims in this chapter will have:A later departure from the campsitesA shorter walk with water stops every 1–2 milesEnhanced road security along a pram-proof routeLunch provided How long is the Family Chapter route?Friday: Approximately 5 milesSaturday: Approximately 8 milesSunday: Approximately 6 milesClick here to see the family chapter routePastoral CareEach day will begin with Holy Mass before the start of the day's walk.The Adult and Family Chapters will each have their own Chaplain, who will lead the Rosary, meditations and be available to hear Confessions.The Chapters will converge at camp each evening and for the approach to into Canterbury and the final procession to St. Augustine's Abbey.