The day started out rainy, including thunder and lightening. Disappointing! I started to pray and asked God to please slow or stop the rain by the time we got to the Acropolis. I knew He could but I didn't know if He would.
It was still pouring when we got there, so we bought umbrella's from the inevitable peddlers hawking their goods. We had rain jackets but needed a bit more relief from the deluge. However by the time we climbed to the top of the Acropolis, it stopped completely. Within the next half hour, the sun came out and it was beautiful until we got back on the bus a few hours later - when it clouded up but just sprinkled off and on. I was praising God...so thankful to be able to experience the Acropolis without the rain.
Rain, rain, go away!
Starting the climb to the top
The Odeon of Herodes Atticus (theatre)
Because of the rain, the crowds were much thinner. heh
(This was another blessing of the early morning rain!)
Entrance to the Acropolis, part of which was a marble monument dedicated to the goddess Athena (goddess of wisdom)
The entrance in the middle of the structure
On the other side of the entrance stands the Temple of Athena Nike. The statue of Nike inside was wingless and legend said her statue would mean victory would never fly away from the city.
The Parthenon, Temple of Athena
Detail of the pillars - each one is all one solid piece
Directly across from the Parthenon is the Erechtheion. It is the Temple of Athena Polias (guardian of the city) but also named for Poseidon, King of Attica. It was divided into three areas and contained the altars of Poseidon, Erichthonios (half-man, half-serpent son of Hephaisos and Mother Earth) and Attic hero Boutes.
I give you these details to help paint a picture of the idol worship that existed in Athens when Paul was there.
A different angle of the Erechtheion showing the Parthenon in the background.
View of one small part of the city from the Parthenon. The Parthenon is on top of a tall hill so that it could be seen from all over the city. Everyone would see it as a daily reminder of the goddess Athena. The city in Paul's time was much smaller, of course.
Mom and I in front of the Parthenon and a close up of the finger of the kind soul who took our picture.
We are still on the hill but you can imagine how the view of this temple cast a proverbial shadow on all who lived below it.
Close up of the ground on which we gingerly walked.
Heading out of the Acropolis and toward Mars Hill (the Areopagus - Acts 17:19)
The big rock in the middle of the photo is Mars Hill where Paul preached to the people of Athens. In the valley below you can see some other structures that resemble the Parthenon. This was the Agora (what we would call a marketplace). Acts 17 talks about how Paul spoke daily in the marketplace and in the synagogue daily with God-fearing Jews and Greeks. The Agora contained shops and many temples because the Athenians were so steeped in the worship of the gods and wanted to be sure they covered all their bases. This was the city that had an altar to "the Unknown god."
The Athenians were in constant pursuit of wisdom by way of philosophy so they were willing to listen and debate with Paul. In fact Acts 17 says there were some who spent their time doing nothing but talking and listening to the latest ideas. Perhaps an early form of social media. heh. There were two distinct groups in Athens - the Epicureans, who were lovers of pleasure and the Stoics, who tried to live to please the gods. Both groups took issue with Paul's teaching that Jesus Christ was resurrected from the dead and accused him of making it up (aka being a babbler).
Eventually, after listening to him daily for some time, the people brought him to Mars Hill - a meeting of the Areopagus (some type of council) and asked to know more about his 'strange teaching.' Paul, being bold and direct did not mince words. He started off by telling them--as he stood in the shadow of the Parthenon, a gloriously built Temple --that the "God who made the world and everything in it does not live in temples made by human hands. Rather, He Himself gives everyone life and breath and everything He has." "For in Him we live and move and have our being. We are his offspring." (These last two sentences were a quote from one of their own poets that would have been quite familiar to them.) He then goes on to tell them that we should not think of God as an image of gold, silver or stone and that God would no longer overlook such ignorance. God now commanded all men to repent and that He had set a day when He would judge the world. Paul said God had given proof of this by raising Jesus from the dead. When they heard this, some sneered (I'm guessing they didn't appreciate being called ignorant) but some wanted to know more. Eventually a number of them believed but the church in Athens was smaller than the one in Corinth.
(Acts 17)
The base of Mars Hill (Paul and the Council would have been on top where you can see people walking)
Inscription in Greek of what Paul said that day.
Standing on top of Mars Hill with the Parthenon and other temples of the Acropolis in the background
Some think Paul was 'unsuccessful' in Athens. My personal belief is that God does not necessarily measure success by numbers.
We then had to tear ourselves away from this amazing spot and finish the day touring other places in Athens.
First stop was the very first Olympic Stadium -- all in marble! It is still used for various activities, mainly the finish line of marathons, which start in....Marathon, Greece. Hmmm....who knew? The distance from Marathon, Greece to the stadium in Athens is...you guessed it...26.2 miles!
They drove us past a few other beautiful buildings but they are a bit too dull to include in a blog so I will proceed with the rest of our day. Some of us chose the option to go shopping in the old city. A very touristy section but fun to have lunch and walk around.
All the restaurants were open air -- which I love. You just have to watch your feet because cars could literally run them over.
Street musician
Gelato! Yes, please!
Picture is a bit crooked but loooooove this door!
Quite picturesque
Overall, Greece has been a wonderful experience. I am rather hilariously thinking in their accent and saying, "Gleek" in my head instead of "Greek." I have also smothered giggles when I hear the phrase, "It comes from an ancient Greek word meaning...." Yes!!! They really say that just like in My Big Fat Greek Wedding!
I'm very much done with all the key chains of male body parts, and statues engaged in inappropriate activities, however. Seriously, why? UGH. I can see why Paul would have been 'greatly distressed' after coming to Athens.
We fly to Rome at 0-dark-thirty tomorrow. In the afternoon we are scheduled to tour the catacombs where the Christians lived to escape Roman persecution.
