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In the spring of 2005, four men from the Antiochian Orthodox parish of St. Barnabas, where I serve as the assistant priest,  announced plans to make a pilgrimage later that year to Holy Mt. Athos in Greece. I was delighted and greatly surprised when they announced that they had made arrangements for me to go with them. The leader of our tour was to be our good friend Theoflos Russos of Russos Imports in Huntington Beach.
Few people know Mt. Athos better than Theofilos. He has been making pilgrimages to the Holy Mountain most of his life and knows all the monasteries and many of the monks and abbots there very well. This would prove to be invaluable to us. Although the monasteries are used to seeing many visitors each year and provide gracious hospitality for them all, there is nothing quite as enjoyable as traveling there with a man that the monks are comfortable with and consider a good friend. Theo's "insider" status got our group access to many areas that most pilgrims would not be aware of, or necessarily be invited to see. We saw many holy places and sacred relics, met many wonderful monks, and were treated like family rather than mere visitors. It was a truly blessed experience. 
Theo's tours are far-ranging, visiting several monasteries and exposing you to a great deal of the Athos life and environment. This is especially valuable for the first-time visitor as it provides a superb "overview" of Athos and allows you to discover which particular monasteries you may wish to revisit in future trips. Even experienced travelers will benefit from a tour with Theofilos,  not only because of his wealth of experience, but also because Theo himself is a true "Lover of God" and an inspiration to travel with through such holy places. He is also an excellent tour leader, taking the time to speak with each member of his group daily to make certain each individual's needs are being met and that all are enjoying and benefiting from the pilgrimage.
I can highly recommend Mr. Theofilos Russos as your guide on your next pilgrimage to Mount Athos. I know you will have a spiritually rewarding time and, like me, will anxiously await your next opportunity to return to the Holy Mountain on another tour with Theo.
Fr. Michael Reagan
St. Barnabas Antiochian Church
Costa Mesa, CA
Thank you Theofilos for the most incredible two weeks. I have visited many holy sites, but this was a pilgrimage of a lifetime. The Holy Mountain is indeed a place between heaven and earth. It has changed my perception of the world; it has changed my life. Glory Be to God.
Dr. David Hetzel
What would make for the ideal pilgrimage to a holy place like Mount Athos? It would be to go in the company of a man who had been there countless times since his youth; who knew not just the holy places but the holy men; a man who was himself known and loved on that holy mountain. This is the pilgrimage one takes with Theofilos Russos.
Rev. Joseph
Orthodox Priest
Being on Mount Athos is the closest experience to heaven one can have on this earth. You are surrounded by Holy Monasteries, relics and most important, holy monks. Traveling with Theofilos Russos is truly a privilege. Mr. Russos knows the history of Mount Athos as well as the monks themselves do. It made our pilgrimage more personal. I loved it so much I have traveled to Mount Athos with Mr. Russos twice and plan to go back again.
Ivan
My impressions of the Holy Mountain are fond. My experience was transforming and my prayer to Panaghia is to always have these impressions of the Holy Mountain, Her Garden, in my heart.
Of course, this was possible only through the loving kindness and pure devotion of Theofilos to make this pilgrimage every bit the Holy excursion that it turned out to be.
I thank you with my whole heart, dear friend.
In Him,
John Ma'ae
The trip for me was life changing; it truly was. We saw things we never would have experienced were it not for Theofilos' knowledge and contacts on the Holy Mountain. They are what makes going to the Holy Mountain with Theofilos (versus going on your own) the better way to go (and this was my second trip to the Holy Mountain).
Kevin Allen
Here I have my thoughts. I think of Mt Athos every day, some day I wish to go back there.
Gene Noterman
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