×
GreekEnglish

×
  • Politics
  • Diaspora
  • World
  • Lifestyle
  • Travel
  • Culture
  • Sports
  • Cooking
Tuesday
13
Jan 2026
weather symbol
Athens 9°C
  • Home
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • World
  • Diaspora
  • Lifestyle
  • Travel
  • Culture
  • Sports
  • Mediterranean Cooking
  • Weather
Contact follow Protothema:
Powered by Cloudevo
> Travel

Rift between Ecumenical Patriarchate and Russia affects religious tourism in Greece

Over 800.000 Russian visitors arrived in Greece in 2018

Newsroom October 22 04:58

The rift between the Ecumenical Patriarchate and the Russian Orthodox Church, after the former recognised the independence of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, has had a negative impact on religious tourism to Greece. According to information from representatives of religious tourism offices and groups, the number of visitors from Russia to Mount Athos in Macedonia, the holy mountain for 300 million Orthodox Christians, as well as other destinations in Greece has seen a dramatic fall over the past days as many tourists have cancelled their pilgrimages to these sites. According to romfea.gr, a rising number of visitors, families, and groups from Russia who had planned to visit primarily religious destinations in Greece cancelled their trips. This follows the interruption of communion between the Ecumenical Patriarchate and the Church of Russia after the Patriarchate, seated in Constantinople recognised the Ukrainian Church’s right to be split from Moscow and have an autocephalous national church. Russians visitors make up 60% of the pilgrims in the monasteries of Mount Athos in Greece, according to data from the press service of Rosturizm and the Greek Ministry of Tourism. According to data, Russian tourists to Greece amounted to over 800,000 last year, with the aim for the next season of reaching 1 million, receiving a serious setback after the developments.

Ask me anything

Explore related questions

#Ecumenical Patriarchate#Ecumenical Patriarche Bartholomew#Mount Athos#pilgrims#russia#tourism#visitors
> More Travel

Follow en.protothema.gr on Google News and be the first to know all the news

See all the latest News from Greece and the World, the moment they happen, at en.protothema.gr

> Latest Stories

“Digital noise” from outdated technology caused chaos in the Athens FIR – What the committee’s findings say

January 13, 2026

JPMorgan: Greece one of the most attractive markets for the Emerging Europe category

January 13, 2026

Kimon arrives at Faliro as Europe’s heavily armed frigate enters Greek waters

January 13, 2026

ELSTAT: Inflation up to 2.6% in December

January 13, 2026

Spain aims to control deepfakes created with AI

January 13, 2026

Le Pen’s party’s appeal to decide her presidential future begins

January 13, 2026

Pyrgos: man attacked his wife with a knife and then threatened to kill himself

January 13, 2026

Tuesday the 13th: Why everyone thinks it’s bad luck

January 13, 2026
All News

> Travel

Kimolos wins over International Media: “A hidden gem waiting to be discovered”

Despite its small size, Kimolos is full of character and charm — and now international media are urging travelers to put this Cycladic island on their bucket list

August 28, 2025

French Vogue discovers the exotic beauty of Skopelos

August 28, 2025

Naxos tops the list of Greek kitesurfing destinations for 2025

July 9, 2025

Holidays in Psara

June 20, 2025

Santorini filled with tourists again (photos)

April 12, 2025
Homepage
PERSONAL DATA PROTECTION POLICY COOKIES POLICY TERM OF USE
Powered by Cloudevo
Copyright © 2026 Πρώτο Θέμα