His Eminence, Archbishop Joseph led the delegation in prayer before it embarked on a journey of more than 8,000 miles to Thessaloniki, Greece. Fifteen of the delegates were present at Los Angeles International Airport as the other three delegates will travel from other parts of the world to join us at our destination. Sayidna invoked the intercessions of St. Nicholas, the patron and protector of his Holy Cathedral, as well as the protector of travelers. He also called upon the intercessions of our Savior’s most holy mother, the Theotokos, to protect us on our trip. The delegates are preparing themselves and energizing for what promises to be a spiritually uplifting two weeks visiting some of the holiest churches and monasteries in the Orthodox Christian world.