Greek Shaolin Cultural Organization
少林希腊文化組织

The open invitation from Venerable Abbot Shi Yong Xin [chin.: shìyǒngxìn fāngzhang 释永信方丈], to Master Shi Yan Zhuo [chin .: shì yán zhuō 释延卓], founder and director of [EPOS] since October 2014, at London European Shaolin Cultural Festival , to visit him with masters of the Hellenic Shaolin Cultural Center , during the summer months of June and July 2015, was formalized on May 30, 2015.

When the letter of the official invitation from the Shaolin temple of Song San China arrived, Master Shi Yan Zhuo [Stavridis Jordan], informed the members of the Board of EPOS about the preperation of an official delegation mission from Greece. The delegation would participate in a cultural exchange program, along with nearly 20 other countries, successively during the months of June and July 2015, as the Bodhidharma Centre from Russia [Master Rogov Viacheslav], the Denver Shaolin Centre from Colorado, a delegation from France with the master Yanmai, the India Shaolin Cultural Center with master Kanishka, etc.. [Link]

On July 17 in the morning, local time, in the coolness of the summer rain, the bus with the Greek mission arrived at the Mountain Gate of Shaolin Temple and was warmly welcomed by the Venerable Abbot Shi Yong Xin, who invited Master Shi Yan Zhuo and the delegation to the Abbot Hall. The two masters were very happy about this auspicious sign of weather and exchanged compliments, as befits to good and very old friends.

Afterwards, according to the protocol, took place the official presentation in the Shaolin temple, of the new masters of EPOS, before the Abbot. Then all together and individually, chatted with him and shared their impressions and enthusiasm. They drank tea with the Abbot and informed him about the progress of Shaolin in Greece. Venerable Shi Yong Xin, apparently satisfied with the work done in Greece, advised new and older masters, that their chosen path is not easy and requires hard daily work. Then the new masters were recorded in the records of the temple and the Abbot gave his permission to wander freely in the Shaolin temple areas and talk with other masters and students.

The Greek mission toured the premises of the monastery, where Master Shi Yan Kong [chin .: shì yán kōng 释延空] Director of the Athens Shaolin Cultural Center [POKESA] explained the 1500 years history of the monastery, presenting halls, relics , and the historical monuments of Shaolin.