The “Pilgrimage Bike Race” combines sport with two-wheeled means of transport and getting to know the places of Worship through intermediate stops in Temples, Monasteries and Chapels, while also being part of the wider context of the recent certification of Pieria as a “Bike Friendly” destination .
Pilgrimage Cycling: Sport and faith in Pieria
The “Pilgrimage Bike Race” combines sport with two-wheeled means of transport and getting to know the places of Worship through intermediate stops in Temples, Monasteries and Chapels, while also being part of the wider context of the recent certification of Pieria as a “Bike Friendly” destination .
The “Pilgrimage Bike Race” that started last year from the joint organizational coordination, but also its successful implementation by the Diocese of Kitros, Katerinis and Platamonos, the Regional Unit of Pieria, the Pieria Organization for Tourism Development and Promotion and the Sports and Cultural Association “TRIAS”, is preparing for its realization this year as well.
Last year the Municipality of Katerini hosted the first action, which this year will take place in the Municipality of Pydna-Kolindros with its multitude of places of worship and pilgrimage, inviting cyclists to participate in the worthy initiative.
The “Pilgrimage Bike Race” combines sport with two-wheeled means of transport and getting to know the places of Worship through intermediate stops in Temples, Monasteries and Chapels, while also being part of the wider context of the recent certification of Pieria as a “Bike Friendly” destination .
For the success of the event which will take place on Sunday, September 29 in North Pieria, the Municipal Authority of the area is already preparing and practically supporting the project which is a timeless proposal of the Reverend Metropolitan of Kitros, Katerina and Platamonos, Mr. Georgios.
For the examination of issues consistent with the organizational structure, the outline of the route and the preparation of the 2024 Pilgrimage Cycle Race, a broad meeting of the involved bodies was held at the Metropolitan Palace of Katerinis, under the chairmanship of the Reverend Pastor Mr. Georgiou.
The Deputy Governor of Pieria Ms. Sofia Mavridou, the Mayor of Pydna-Kolindrou Mr. Christos Kobatsiaris with the Deputy Mayor of Tourism Ms. Maria Navrozidou and the Presidents of P.O.T.A.P. Mr. Giorgos Karalis and Mr. Iordanis Papadopoulos of the “TRIAS” Sports Club.
The importance of the action was referred to in his statement by the venerable Metropolitan Mr. George, emphasizing: “The Pilgrimage Bike Race that we will implement for the second year and will certainly continue, is part of the wider program of our initiatives aimed at highlighting and promoting the Pilgrimage Tours of of our Holy Metropolis, always in good cooperation with all local agencies. This year we will operate in North Pieria where our cyclists will become communicants of the Holy places and the Steps of the Apostle Paul”.
The deputy governor of Pieria, Mrs. Sofia Mavridou, pointed out: “The Regional Unit of Pieria, comes as a co-organizer, helper and supporter of the altogether worthy action that our Reverend Pastor highlighted, the Pilgrimage Cycling Race which is intertwined with pilgrimage tourism. After last year’s start from Katerini, we continue this year in the Municipality of Pydna-Kolindrou with the ultimate aim of highlighting and getting to know the Religious and Pilgrimage places of Pieria. We aim at a sustainable sustainable tourism, a tourism that will respect our religious and cultural heritage, the our place, the people but also their dynamic production”.
