SJ18 - Athens

 Athens offers so much to see that it is impossible to do it justice in just one blog post. I will hit the highlights here VERY briefly and then post a larger album of photos on FB.

  The Acropolis

We spent a good bit of time walking around the Acropolis.  This is more impressive in person than i had imagined. It is absolutely beautiful. Unlike the Palace of Knossos, The acropolis remains pretty much unrestored.  As they make repairs or restorations, they are done is such a way the the original ruins are preserved. This leaves the ancient feel of the place intact. The sculptures seen here acting as pillars, are actualy copies. the originals are in the new Acropolis Museum.








From atop the Acroplis, There is a 360 degree view of Athens.  What a beautiful place!

The Temple of Zeus

View of Mars Hill

Ancient Theater

 Acropolis Museum
The new museum of the Acropolis is spectacular.

This photo is a view of the museum from the top of the Acropolis. As you can see, the top floor is not set square with he rest of the building. It is set so that it matches perfectly with the orientation of  the Acropolis.  They have set up a reconstruction of the Acropolis on that floor, with hundreds of the sculptures from the original so they are preserved. This give a very clear impression of the beauty and magnitude of the original building was in its prime. Below are some photos of a few of those pieces. More will beposted in my Athens album on FB.

On a lighter note, one of the more unique displays in the museum was a detailed Lego sculpture of the entire Acropolis hill and all of its buildings.  It included people from every period of Athens history, from gladiators to tourists coming off of buses.  Detailed ad hilarious!

 Mars Hill
We also visited Mars Hill.  It was a stirring experience to stand in ths place , with the Acropolis in view, hear Paul's words echo in my mind:

“People of Athens! I see that in every way you are very religious.  For as I walked around and looked carefully at your objects of worship, I even found an altar with this inscription: to an unknown god. So you are ignorant of the very thing you worship—and this is what I am going to proclaim to you. The God who made the world and everything in it is the Lord of heaven and earth and does not live in temples built by human hands. . .
                                                   Acts 17: 22 and following

This is the view of the Acropolis from Mars Hill.  I imagined Paul
pointing to this when he sadi that God does not live in a temple made n=by human hands. Standing there was a powerful time of prayer and reflection for me.




Church in the Glyfada neighborhood of Athens
On Sunday night before flying out on Monday for home, Tami and I attended church with Dino Russos.  THey have three services every Sunday, one in Greek, one in Russian and one in English.  I was blessed to preach there during there English speaking service..  In attendance were about 30 Students from Harding who are in Athens for the semester. what a great church!  Following the service there were two baptisms as a result of Bible studies that are ongoing.  This church is doing great work for the Gospel here in aAthens!

Reflecting on the journey
As we close out our time here in Athens, I can't help but reflect on this entire journey.  Tami and I are so blessed to have been able to make this trip. We have the Conejo Church to thank for that.  This has truly been a time of refreshing and renewal for both of us. To get away together for three weeks is blessing in itself. To get away in such amazing places is almost beyond words!  It has been a whirlwind - Istambul - Albania - Greece - the trip of a lifetime!