Father Eufimianos Paraskevopoulos speaks about his enduring love for both the sea and the Church. He began his maritime journey in 2012 aboard the VLCC M.V. GRUDESUN, sailing from Fujairah to the Gulf of Mexico, shortly after graduating from the Merchant Marine Academy of Michaniona.
“My cabin was like my monastic cell. Life at sea offers time for reflection and space to seek God,” he shares. He describes the ship as a living being—not lifeless steel—deserving of care, respect, and affection.
To young people considering a maritime career, his advice is heartfelt: “You have to love the sea, the ship, and the work itself—not the money. Study, be persistent, don’t be afraid, and don’t lose heart.”
He recalls a particularly rough crossing in the Bay of Biscay, while noting that “ironically, despite the notorious seas south of Chile, everything went smoothly there.”