Italy 2016 Newsletter No.3 - Holy Transfiguration Monastery

Newsletter No.3
13 January 2016
ITALY 2016
Pantocrator of Monreale, Sicily,
A week away from our Italian pilgrimage! Happy New 2016 Year to you all!
Forgive me for not writing sooner. Details of the trip have been finalised and listed
comprehensively out for you all. Its important that before you leave, you send/print out
a copy of the below itinerary to family members and next of kin.
Whats started off as an abnormally warm winter in Europe has finally returned to true
winter conditions on the eve of our departure for the Eternal City and beyond. Don't
be fooled by the warmer recent conditions!
Thank you to everyone for being so prompt and expedient with all the emails and
details required. Thank you also for your patience with me.
I look forward very much to spending the weeks ahead with you all. God bless us for a
safe and prosperous trip. Amen.
See you in Rome!
Italy 2016
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Newsletter No.3
13 January 2016
Day 1
Thursday the 21st of January
Meals: Dinner
Arrival and rest.
Overnight: Hotel NH Vittorio Veneto, Rome.
Address: Corso d'Italia 1, Area Via Veneto,
Roma, 00198, Ph: +390684951
Meeting up at Sydney Airport on
January 20:
Some of us will be connecting up
on Wednesday night the 20th of
January for our Etihad flight to
Rome vis Abu Dabi EY455. I will
be there (with Fr Alexis - going
onto New Zealand) ) from 4pm. My
mobile: 0430498354
Day 2
Friday the of 22nd January
Meals: Breakfast and Dinner
Free day in Rome
Later in the afternoon we will explore by foot
and on the bus famous “tourists’ traps” or
otherwise called “must see” sites of the Eternal
City – the Spanish Steps, the Pantheon, Trevi
Fountain, Piazza Navona, etc. on a special tour
“Rome by twilight”.
Overnight: Hotel NH Vittorio Veneto, Rome.
Liturgy in the Catacombs at St Priscilla, Rome
Day 3
Saturday the 23rd of January
Meals: Breakfast and Dinner
This morning we will start with the Divine
Liturgy at the Ancient Christian Cemetery of St.
Priscilla. Actually, the Liturgy itself most often
celebrated in a small Basilica, reconstructed in
1950’s after the shape and on the very spot of
the Basilica built over the cemetery in early
centuries AD. Many of the relics of the Ancient
Saints and martyrs are embedded in the Altar of
that Basilica. Right under it there are fast
catacombs of Priscilla, nicknamed to be the
queen of all Roman Catacombs due to the
beauty of the early Christian Art (the earliest
depiction of the Mother of God is to be found
here) and historical importance of the burials of
various prominent figures of Christian antiquity.
As to the Priscilla herself: she was a noble pious
Roman woman who gave her property to be
Italy 2016
Roman Forum
Roman Forum
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13 January 2016
continue Day 3…
In the afternoon we will visit the Borghese Gallery, named
after the Roman Cardinal Scipione Borghese who owned the
villa and was avid collector of the beautiful and exquisite art
from Roman times to the works of his early 17 century
contemporaries.
Before Ville Borghese we will explore a
lovely Roman area known as Trastevere.
Overnight: Hotel NH Vittorio Veneto, Rome
Basilica of St Paul outside the Walls of
Rome
Day 4
Sunday the 24th of January
Meals: Breakfast and Dinner
Today will start with the exploration of the remnants of the
city that gave Rome the title Eternal. We will see the largest
stadium of antiquity, the Coliseum, a circus that hosted up to
80,000 spectators, and the even larger Circus Maximus, the
horse race stadium, witness to the cheer of 250,000 Romans.
We will also see ancient Rome’s downtown, the Forum. In that
ancient place we will also visit the place of Apostle Peter’s
imprisonment – Mamertime Prison. In the afternoon we will
visit the church dedicated to the holy unmercenary healers
Cosmas and Damian that holds and basilica where Peter’s
prison chains are kept (thus the name of the church: Peter in
chains or San Pietro in Vincoli). Not far from there we’ll see
basilica of St. Clement important as a pilgrim and an
archeological destination.
Ciborium of St Peter, Rome
Overnight: Hotel NH Vittorio Veneto, Rome
Day 5
Monday the 25th of January
St Angelo in Formis, Rome
Meals: Breakfast and Dinner
This day will continue the exploration of the Christian
inheritance in the Eternal City. Today we’ll see St. Maria
Maggore Church, one of the largest and oldest churches
dedicated to the Virgin Mary. In a special chapel you may see a
few pieces of wood that supposedly are that of Christ’s
manger. At a very short distance we will see the ancient
church of St. Prassede adorned with some of the best
preserved Paleo-Christians mosaics. St. John Lateran
Cathedral is the cathedral basilica of Rome, since the Vatican
is a different state. The Cathedral is built on the place where
the ancient Papal palaces once stood. The most important
Italy 2016
St Gennaro, Naples
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13 January 2016
continue Day 5…
The Church of the Holy Stairs was built for one
reason, to hold the stairs that Christ ascended to the
Roman Praetorium in Jerusalem on the day of His
judgment by Pontius Pilate. In the afternoon we will
return to the Roman Forum area for a visit of the
Capitoline Museums with a large and precious,
arguably one the best collection of the Roman
Antiquities.
Overnight: Hotel NH Vittorio Veneto, Rome.
Basilica of St Nicholas, Bari
Day 6
Tuesday the 26th of January
Meals: Breakfast only. Dinner - your own choice and
desire.
Vatican City is the smallest state in existence. But it
is more famous for the residence of the Pope of
Rome, once the most important out of five keepers
of the ancient Christian Patriarchal sees. Besides
that, few people know that the Vatican is built on
the place of an early Christian cemetery where many
Christian martyrs were buried. St. Peter’s Basilica
itself is a resting place of many Orthodox saints. But
we will start our day with a very special and rare
visit to the excavations under the Basilica itself,
where the tomb of the Apostle Peter, the very reason
for the Basilica being built in that place could be
seen.
In the afternoon we will travel to see church and the
huge shrine of the other preeminent Christian
teacher, Apostle Paul. Huge structure although
rebuilt in 19th century after the devastating fire, still
largely preserves the Ancient layout. The crypt with
the Tomb of the Apostle of the Gentiles could be
venerated in the Middle of the Church. From here we
will proceed to via Appia to see the remnant of the
Ancient Roman road and to venerate the relics of St.
Sebastian, of the famous and popular Christians
martyrs.
Overnight: Hotel NH Vittorio Veneto, Rome.
Italy 2016
Alberobello
Pompeii
Cefalu Cathedral
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Newsletter No.3
Day 7
13 January 2016
Wednesday the 27th of January
Meals: Breakfast and Dinner
This morning we will leave from Rome by bus. Our first
stop along the way will be medieval town of Anagni.
Despite its small size, the locale played an import part
during the Middle Ages in civil strives and ecclesiastical
politics. However, to us this charming Medieval place is
interesting due to its genuine ancient ambience and
phenomenal Romanesque frescoes in the Crypt of the
Cathedral. After visit of Anagni we will drive for
another hour and a half and will find ourselves at the
hilltop Monastery of Montecassiono, the foundation and
the resting place of St. Benedict of Nursia. St. Benedict
is one of the foremost monastics of the undivided
church. Not his first or only Abbey Montecassino
became symbolic of his life and ascetic struggle. After
the Abbey we will cross all of Italy from sea to sea and
will find ourselves in the vicinity of Bari, the resting
place of the beloved Saint St. Nicholas the
Wonderworker.
Overnight: Hotel Barion, Bari Address: Strada Statale
16, Km 816 70126 Torre a Mare, Italia email:
[email protected] Tel: +39 080 5430266
Dormition in the Martorana Church
Capella Palatina
Day 8
Thursday the 28th of January
Meals: Breakfast and Dinner
Today we will start our day with the Divine Liturgy in
the city of St. Nicholas. St. Nicholas became the patron
saint of the city in 1087 after his remains were moved
from Myra in Lycia (modern day southern Turkey),
where he was Bishop during his earthly life in the 4th
century. The body of the saint is laid down in a crypt in
the basilica of his name in Bari. Up until the present
day countless miracles proceed from his body, including
the pouring of myrrh or “manna” that is yearly
collected from under his bones by the rector of the
cathedral in the presence of a multitude of clergy and
laymen. On our way back we will visit Alberobello
village, famous for its unique cone type architecture
known as ‘trulli'. That architectural style was typical
for that area for thousands of years, and remains
practically unchanged till the present day.
Selinunte Archeological Park
Overnight: Hotel Barion, Bari
Agrigento
Italy 2016
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Newsletter No.3
13 January 2016
Day 9
Friday the 29th of January
Meals: Breakfast and Dinner
This day will be dedicated to sightseeing of Naples.
After a brief sightseeing tour of the city, we will visit
the Chapel were the relics of the first Bishop of
Naples, St. Januarius that are housed in the Duomo
(Cathedral). Adjacent to the Cathedral is an ancient
Baptistery with some of the most ancient Christian
Mosaics to be found anywhere. From the Cathedral
we’ll proceed to the national archeological museum
of Naples, one of the most important archeological
museums worldwide. Here on several floors you’ll see
a lot of treasures discovered in the nearby ancient
Roman towns of Herculaneum and Pompeii.
Piazza Armerina
Overnight: Hotel Renaissance Mediterraneo, Naples
Address: Via Ponte di Tappia, 25, 80133 Napoli, Italy
Phone:+39 081 797 0001
Day 10
Saturday the 30th of January
Noto
Meals: Breakfast and Dinner
This morning we’ll visit the site of the ancient town of
Herculaneum, tragically buried under the mud and
ashes on the day of the eruption of Vesuvius in 79 AD.
Pompeii is the best known site of that ancient
tragedy. However, less known town of Heruclanuem is
much better and perhaps the best preserved Ancient
city in the world. Strolling along the streets of
Herculaneum will give you a very good idea of how
people lived 2000 years ago, right at the time of the
Earthly life of our Saviour and His Apostles.
From Herculaneum we will transfer to the city of
Salerno and visit the Duomo. It is an important stop
on our pilgrim route as Cathedral of the city hosts the
relics of the apostle and evangelist Matthew. Later in
the afternoon we will travel for some three hours
toward the Southernmost tip of the Apennine or
Italians Peninsula. Not quite reaching it we will stop
for an overnight at the hotel in a town of Cosenza.
Mt Etna region
Overnight: Hotel Link, Cosenza Address: Via Raffaele
Coscarella, 87100 Cosenza CS, Italy Phone:+39 0984
482027
Stone carved theatre, Siracusa
Italy 2016
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Newsletter No.3
13 January 2016
Day 11
Sunday the 31st of January
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.This morning we
will have a lengthy transfer to Sicily. Along the way
we will need to use a ferry between the mainland and
the island and after that will travel on the coastal
highway with countless tunnels and suspension
bridges. Around lunch time we will arrive to ancient
Cefalu know since the Roman times. That beautiful
coastal town will provide us with the first taste of the
mixture of different cultures, as all of them left its
unique and special impact on the city. The main
attraction of Cefalu is its cathedral build in so called
Sicilian Romanesque style with very fine Byzantine
mosaics inside. Build and adored in the first half of
the 12 century, Cathedral is very well preserved and
the image of the Pantocator is recognizable to anyone
who is familiar with the Byzantine Art even a little
bit.
How much
walking will
there be?
Quite a bit.
Bring water
proof walking
shoes and
even a hiking
aid/stick if
you prefer.
Overnight: Hotel Excelsior, Palermo Address: Via
Marchese Ugo, 3, 90144 Palermo, Italy Phone:+39 091
790 9001
Day 12
Monday the 1st of February
Meals: Breakfast only.
Today we will spend a full day in Palermo. That
doubtlessly most precious jewel not only of Sicily but
of all of Italy. City is Palermo is very large and in parts
unfortunately somewhat run down. Still, it keeps a lot
of splendors around every corner. There are few
monuments that we are planning to visit during our
day long tour of the city. Most special of them all is
the Palatine or Royal Chapel in the former Norman
palace. Fantastic glittering Byzantine mosaics in
connection with the most thoughtful and exquisitely
executed Romanesque features leaves all visitors in
awe of the beauty of the places. Damaged by several
earthquakes some of the compositions have been
retouched. However most of the mosaics are
preserved in the “pristine” state. Another church that
is special to an “Eastern” visitor in that lavishly
Baroque city, is the Martorana church also known as
Santa Maria dell'Ammiraglio (Saint Mary of the Admiral
or build by the admiral). That name derives from the
founder of the church, the Greek admiral in Norman
Service, George of Antioch. Here beautiful Byzantine
mosaics are intricately fitted into a very Eastern
looking structure. Overnight: Hotel Excelsior, Palermo
Italy 2016
Is Italy and the places
we going to safe?
Yes, Italy is a very safe
country. But like
everywhere on the
planet, you must
always take caution
and not partake in risk
adverse behaviours.
Dont use your bankcards
or credit cards overseas
without advising your
bank that your travelling
before you leave the
country otherwise your
card will be blocked on
your first purchase
overseas.
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Newsletter No.3
13 January 2016
Day 13
Tuesday the 2nd of February
Meals: Breakfast, wine tasting/snacks and Dinner
This morning we will climb up the mountain that is
towering over the city of Palermo. Here in town of
Monreale we will see most splendid NormanoByzantine monument, the Cathedral of Monreale.
Covered by mosaics in every corner, that mammoth
structure serves as perhaps the largest and certainly
one of the most beautiful examples of the Medieval
Byzantine art anywhere. One can wonder endlessly
through the Cathedral exploring countless scenes
Biblical scenes and episodes of lives of some of the
most prominent ancient saints. After spending good
part of the morning in Monreale we will transfer
toward the south of the island. On the way we will
stop at one of the local wineries for some wine
sampling and lunch.
Overnight: Hotel Mahara, Mazara del Vallo Address:
Lungomare S. Vito, 3, 91026 Mazara del Vallo TP, Italy
Phone:+39 0923 673800
Day 14
Are buses in Italy
safe?
Yes, they have seat belts
and meet safety standards
for public transport within
the European Union
How cold is the winter
there?
Expect an average of about
10 degrees Celsius. The
winter began very warm
and now its in ‘catch-up’
mode as colder
temperatures kick in.
Wednesday the 3rd of February
Meals: Breakfast and Dinner
Our hotel is located in relative proximity to one of the
most Ancient and important Greek settlements of
Sicily, the mighty city-state of old Selinunte. Majestic
and poetic remnants of the temples here are
accompanied by the actual remains of the
fortifications, streets and other civil and military
structures of the Ancient Greek city. At the height of
its glory in the fifth century BC population of city
reached 30.000 people. But severely damaged during
the wars with Carthage, city never fully recuperated
come to decline and was known already during the
Roman times as an extinct city. Valley of the Temples
in Agrigento is part of the Via Sacra or the Sacred Way
of the large colony established by Greek settlers at
some point before the 6th century BC. Just prior to the
war with Carthage city grew to a be one of the largest
in all of the Magna Grecia with an estimated
population between 100000 and 200000 thousand
people. However, just as its western neighbour
Selinunte city came to decline during the Sicialian and
then Punic wars. It kept its existence but in a much
smaller and less influential fashion until the present
day. Much of the ancient city is built over by modern
structures, however…
Italy 2016
Some days on the itinerary
have Breakfasts and Dinners,
other days gave only
Breakfasts…why is this? Why
aren't lunches included?
Thats because we are giving
people the choice to do their
own thing for lunches and
dinners on some days.
Otherwise meals listed in the
itinerary are covered except
for alcoholic beverages as per
the norm.
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Newsletter No.3
13 January 2016
Continue Day 14…
…the so-called Valley of the Temples is well preserved
and give a nice glimpse into the cultic life of the
ancient peoples. Not to miss is a well preserved Greek
temple, now turned into a church on the Western side
of the Valley. Overnight: Hotel Federicao Ennea, Enna
Overnight: Hotel Excelsior, Palermo Address: Via
Marchese Ugo, 3, 90144 Palermo, Italy Phone:+39 091
790 9001
Day 15
Thursday the 4th of February
Can friends and
family back home
follow the
pilgrimage? Yes! By
going to
www.facebook.com/
htmbombala. Photos
will be uploaded
daily
Meals: Breakfast and Dinner
There are many places in Sicily that could be
described as unique and one of a kind. One of them is
Villa Romana del Casale at Piazza Armerina. Here we
will see the largest and most diverse collection of
Roman floor mosaics that adore every room of the
the villa that likely was in the first quarter of the 4th
century AD. Here you could see unique picture like
presentation of the Ancient Roman life: hunting
scenes, capture and transportation of the exotic wild
beasts for the games in the cities, dances, feasts, and
even strikingly modern looking sport exercises in
women gymnasium. Those of you who are familiar
with ancient mythology will find fantastic illustrations
to the variety of Ancient tales and poems. In the
afternoon we will visit town of Caltagirone, of the six
Southern Baroque cities of Sicily added to the UNESCO
list of the World heritage site.
Overnight: Hotel Katane Palace, Catania Address: Via
Camillo Finocchiaro Aprile, 110, 95129 Catania CT,
Italy Phone:+39 095 747 0702
Mini
umbrellas can
be very handy!
Waterproof
backpacks for your daily
provisions and lockable zippers
are very handy too!
Day 16
Friday the 5th of February
Meals: Breakfast and Dinner
Today we will have a day excursion to the city of
Syracuse or the Siracusa of old. This almost 3000 year
old city is notable for its rich Greek history
and culture. Many famous ancient Greek personalities
lived or visited here; among them most famous
ancient engineer and mathematician Archimedes, who
actually was born here. Syracuse is mentioned in
the Bible as one of the places visited by St. Paul the
Apostle (Acts28:12). Such could be indirectly
confirmed by the known presence of a large Jewish
Italy 2016
Wet limestone
walkways and cobble
stone streets can be
very slippery and
dangerous!
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Newsletter No.3
Continue Day 16…
… archeological excavations. The patron saint of the
city is Saint Lucy as she was born here, and although
her relics are in Venice now, she is still greatly
revered in the city as she was born in Syracuse.
Overnight: Hotel Katane Palace, Catania
Day 17
Saturday the 6th of February
Meals: Breakfast and Dinner
Our last official day of the pilgrimage in Italy will
start with a walking climb up to Mt. Etna, perhaps the
most famous active volcano in Europe. The ascend is
made by bus, so none would have to make much
effort to ascend on a considerable height. The route is
made via solidified and dark grey lava filed that gives
entire terrain eerily otherworldly feeling. Second
largest city of Catania, our home for three nights lay
at the feet of Mt. Etna. Founded in the 8th century
BC, this city certainly had it glory days, however, it
was severely destroyed during several earthquakes.
Thus, most of the historical city that could be seen
dates back to the 17th century or later. Today Catania
is one of the six Baroque cities of Sicily added to the
UNESCO World Heritage list. One of the prominent
holy shrines of the city is the cathedral with the
reliquary of St. Agatha of Sicily. One of the most
highly venerated virgin martyrs of Christian antiquity,
Agatha was born in Catania and put to death here
during the persecution of the Roman Emperor Decius
in 251AD.
Overnight: Hotel Katane Palace, Catania
Day 18
Sunday the 7th of February
Meals: Breakfast (boxed only - very light - for those
not attending church in morning)
This morning we will attend the Divine Liturgy at the
local Orthodox Church in Catania. After Liturgy a
transfer to the airport will be provided for those who
depart back home and for those who are planning to
stay for an extra night stay in Rome.
For those staying in Rome with main group: Venetia
Palace Hotel including airport to hotel transfer. Group
dinner in Rome - to be specified closer to the day.
Address: Via Marghera, 47A, 00185 Roma, Italy
Phone:+39 06 492071
Italy 2016
13 January 2016
We will be getting an
audio microphone
headset each. Its your
responsibility to look
after them. Damage costs
to equipment is expensive
and this will be covered
by the last person who
had them - please take
care of your headsets!
Australian passport holders!
It doesn't hurt to register your
travel plans with DFAT
(department of foreign affairs
& trade) at orao.dfat.gov.au
Mobile phone charges are
expensive overseas - like
“yikes” expensive! Be thou
warned…or don't bring the
mobile at all.
Holy Communion at Liturgy. For those
pious Orthodox, Communion will be
available at the 3 liturgies: 23rd & 28th
January and 7th of February. There will
be no confession - so if you desire,
confess to your priest before going to
Italy.
For those flying
RyanAir to Rome on
February the 7th:
Early online check-in is now
available from €5.99.
Don't pay the €45 at
Catania Airport!
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Newsletter No.3
13 January 2016
DOWNLOAD THIS:
IMPORTANT!
ITALY BOOKLET DOWNLOAD
https://www.dropbox.com/s/
rhqprfpeejzsdq7/Italy
%20Book.pdf?dl=0
FOR THOSE WITHOUT IPADS AND
THOSE ‘THINGY-MA-JIGGYS’…
Have no fear!
A free-of-charge hard copy will be
handed out to each person to have
on the trip.
FR SERGEI’S CONTACT
DETAILS:
[email protected] Ph:
+61430498354
Italy 2016
ITINERARY DOWNLOAD
https://www.dropbox.com/s/
vahhwoq4w1xqs16/GRAND
%20TOUR%20OF%20ROME
%20AND%20SOUTHERN
%20ITALY%202016.pdf?dl=0
TO SHARE THIS NEWSLETTER
FILE:
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7nykey2npllg0t8/Italian
%20Pilgrimage
%202016%20Newsletter%20No.
3.pdf?dl=0
For travel tips for all and
photos & posts can be shared
on Twitter:
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italian_pilgrim
Name:
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Password to account:
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Newsletter No.3
Italy 2016
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Newsletter No.3
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