Mouzenidis Welcomes Relic of St Silouan the Athonite in Thessaloniki

As part of Mouzenidis Group’s efforts to strengthen ties with Russia and Belarus, the company’s president Boris Mouzenidis welcomed the relic of St Silouan the Athonite at Thessaloniki’s Macedonia Airport last week.

Serving as honorary consul of Belarus, Mr Mouzenidis welcomed the holy remains before they reach their destination for public veneration at the Holy Spirit Cathedral in Minsk.

This is the first time Mount Athos has permitted the exhibition of the relics outside the independent monastic state on the initiative of the Russian Foundation of the Great Kingdom and with the support of Patriarch Kirill of Moscow, within the 1,000-year presence of Russian monks at Mount Athos events.

The relic of St Silouan the Athonite will be open for public veneration through to August 31 and will then travel to Russia.

Born in 1866, Silouan — known as Silouan of Athos — was an Eastern Orthodox monk of Russian origin who served as a poet and monk at Mount Athos’ St Panteleimon Monastery.

“It is with great reverence that we welcome the sacred remains of St Silouan of Athos briefly in Thessaloniki,” Mouzenidis said, underlining the religious significance of the event for both Belarus and the Russian Federation.

Mouzenidis Group interests include carrier Ellinair, Mouzenidis Travel,  real estate company Grekodom, medical tourism firm Grekomed, Mouzenidis Intour, four-star hotel Potidea Palace in Halkidiki, CS&R cargo services and EllinYacht renting services, among others.