Archive for the ‘Greece’ Category

« Older Entries

High above Athens stands the Acropolis by Ken

Monday, June 30th, 2008

Awake and with a tough go with the morning shower routine the group from Good Shepherd Episcopal set out early to attend an Anglican worship service at Saint Paul (very fitting for our journey) in the heart of Athens.

We ate lunch after the service and then set out to visit Mars Hill, where Paul explained the scriptures and told who the unknown God was. This was a time of reflection, pondering in our heart and imagining Paul as we stood in his foot steps. From there we headed to the  Acropolis and the amazing Pantheon set high above the city below.

As the sun shined bright and the marble stone steps reflected marvels tones, we climbed our way to see our forth and final world heritage site in seven days.

Making our way down from the Acropolis we slowed to shop in the market below and then made our way back to the mission apartments where the group is staying. We have enjoyed some amazing food on this pilgrimage but this final night was wonderful as we took part together in a wonder voyage tradition of having a celebration meal for the groups last evening.

We ate a fabulous meal on the roof top of our house with the Anglican priest, the Rev Malcolm Bradshaw from Saint Paul, who was able to join us for our meal on this the feast day of Paul (again how fitting). After dinner, as the sun set across the horizon, we sat in a circle and passed a candle around the circle. As the candle came to each person they shared about their individual perspective and take aways from our journey together. This intimate time was a wonderful opportunity for each person to hear what God was doing in each individual on this pilgrimage.

In the morning these road weary pilgrims begin their journey home to Kentucky. I know that the arms of many friends and family await them. I suggest you hug them tight and then listen to their stories of adventure and wonder. Its been a good journey.

Posted in Daily Journal, Greece | Comments Off

Last Full Day in Greece

Sunday, June 29th, 2008

Written By Paul and Scott, Two pilgrims in Greece.

 

Today we started our free day in Athens after sleeping in a little. We got our beach stuff together and got on a city bus “because our wonderful bus driver Ulysses left us for another group.” When we got to the private beach we were please to see the cushioned chairs and umbrellas. We swam in the crystal clear water that was surprisingly cold. After a long swim we dosed off under the intense sun.

 

After our beach time we joined Ken in a spiritual encounter moment. Early in the week we all choose smooth stones from one site we visited along our journey. The stone we each had been carrying represented a burden that was holding us back from living the life God wants us to live. After carrying our stone around this week everyone was invited to get rid of our stone and the burden it represented by throwing it in the sea.

 

After the stone throw we got on a tram and passed by the Olympic village on the way to the center of the ancient city. We shopped in the market below the Acropolis before going to the apartment where we are staying. We had dinner and listened to the life story of the lady who is the Pastor of the E.M.E. church in Athens. Overall, Paul and Scott really liked the beach and the girls really liked singing Lion King and T-Pain songs.

 

 

 

 

Posted in Daily Journal, Greece | Comments Off

Reflections on Corinth and Mecini by Julia and Mandy

Saturday, June 28th, 2008

Julia and Mandy, pilgrims in Greece from The Church of the Good Shepherd, Lexington, KY.

Our day began with a two hour bus ride to Corinth.  On the way, we saw the Greek Islands in the Aegean Sea, and we stopped at the Isthmos Canal, which connects the Aegean Sea to the Ionion Sea.  After this brief stop, we soon arrived at Corinth where we were joined by Brian, a Greek residing American pastor. 

Brian explained to us about the Bema Seat, at which Paul was tried (as written about in the Bible).  After viewing this, we had a big lunch and befriended a stray dog, who we named Socrates.  We then left to view the ruins of Mecini, where Agamemnon was king during the Trojan War.  Then we made our way back to our house where we said goodbye to our amazing bus driver, Ulysses. 

We had a heart-felt encounter led by Ken where we discussed that we weren’t following Paul’s footsteps today, but our own.  We finished out the day with a meal and evening prayer, led by Elise.

Posted in Daily Journal, Greece | Comments Off

Delphi and Athens Reflections by Rev. Elise

Saturday, June 28th, 2008

The Rev. Elise Johnstone, pilgrim in Greece from Good Shepherd, Lexington. 

After a peaceful night in Delphi, we were magnetically drawn back to the acient temples of Delphi and the museum there that has statues, friezes, and jewelry found at the ancient site, which was the home of the most famous oracle in the ancient world.  After a stop at the temple of Athena at Delphi, and a workout (not literally) at the ancient gymnasium, we were on the road back to Athens!

The drive took less time than expected and we had time to explore the neighborhood where we are staying in Athens, Gylfada.  Julia and Mandy enjoyed some shopping in the boutiques, as Lauren, Olivia, and Nancy looked on.  Wood, Paul, Scott, Jesse, Elise, Kathy, Ryan, and our Wonder Voyage leader, Ken, had a terrific and unexpected discovery of the remains of a 5th century (AD) Christian Basilica in Gylfada and Winn and Brenda enjoyed a local specialty- a chocolate crepe!  We had a fabulous experience visiting the Church of Constantine and Helena in Gylfada as well!

After a great dinner prepared by an Italian chef who lives in the building where we are staying (managed by the Gylfada Christian Center’s EME Ministries),  we celebrated the Eucharist together and recalled Paul’s call and conversation, and considered our own calls as we discern along our own pilgrimage.  After an evening of football (soccer)- Spain and Germany are in the European finals, you know- we rested up for our continuation of Paul’s journeys as we prepared for a visit to Biblical Corinth!

Posted in Daily Journal, Greece | Comments Off

Meteora and Delphi Reflections by Olivia

Thursday, June 26th, 2008
Olivia is one of the Greece pilgrimsOur Wednesday began as usual with a traditional Greek breakfast.  This morning was particularly fun as many in our group decided to try nutella (a chocolate hazelnut spread) on their bread.  A day that begins with chocolate and morning prayer (as ours did) is sure to be a good one.  We then set out, back up to Meteora and the monasteries.  One of the six attracted the attention of Julia in particular as the James Bond film, “For Your Eyes Only” was set there.  Our first stop was at one of the many rocks jutting out from the mountains.  We stood in awe of God’s creation, looking down into the deep valleys and beautiful landscape and watching the birds circle at eye level or lower.

We then visited the Varlaam Monastery, which had been started in the ninth century.  The devotion of these monks was incredible.  We thought about how we could be more devoted in our own lives.  After the visit, we again hit the road and the non-motion sick engaged in a rousing game of Uno.  This game occupied a large amount of time until Winn emerged as victor, much to Ryan’s chagrin.

Eventually, we reached Delphi, where we visited the ruins of the temple of Apollo, a theater (where Mandy and Wood delighted us with a short show), and a stadium in 106 degree heat after a long climb.  Elise in particular was thrilled by these sights as she experienced her undergraduate studies all over again.  These ruins gave us all a lot of perspective as we thought about how long people have been around and how very long God has been watching over us, whether we acknowledged Him or not.

As we came to the end of our day, we stopped for dinner at a lovely restaurant with an amazing view overlooking the valleys below.  The food was incredible and the company even better.  Scott made some new friends as he fed stray cats right from our table.  We were again struck by the differences between the Greek culture and our own culture.  We finished our day as a group with evening prayer and reflection of all that we had seen and done.  Paul (and a few others) ended the day by watching the big soccer game in a traditional cafe with many cheering Greeks.

 

Posted in Daily Journal, Greece | Comments Off

« Older Entries