Panagia Soumela shrine hosts thousands of pilgrims in Mount Vermio

Thousands of pilgrims gathered at the Panagia Soumela shrine in Kastania, Mount Vermio, to celebrate the feast of August 15. The event serves as a major cultural and religious landmark for the Pontian Greek community, drawing visitors from across Greece and the diaspora.

This year's celebrations included the presence of the President of the Hellenic Republic, Konstantinos Tasoulas, who attended the Hierarchical Divine Liturgy and participated in ceremonies including a procession of the historic icon. The festivities featured traditional Pontian dances, music, and honors paid to historical figures.

The shrine's history is deeply linked to the original monastery in Trebizond. The central icon, traditionally attributed to Saint Luke, was rescued following the events of 1922 and eventually relocated to Greece. The current pilgrimage site in Vermio was established in 1951 through the initiative of Philon Ktenidis and the Pontian community. On average, the site attracts over 50,000 visitors annually between Easter and late October.