Day 10 in Greece (Thermoplyae, Athens)

Well, once again, today was primarily a travel day. We had to get from Kalampaka to Athens, which is about a five hour drive. So, we hit the road relatively early so we could get to Athens at a decent time.

On the way to Athens, we made one quick stop at Thermoplyae. This site has nothing to do with the Bible, however it is relatively well known because of a recent film--300. Our guide told us that the only thing from the movie that is accurate is that Spartans had beards (which is an overstatement). The battle of the 300 Spartans against the Persians is a historical battle of heroic proportions which took place at Thermoplyae. I'm not going to get into the whole story here. If you want more information about it, I'm sure there are plenty of resources online.

From there we made it to Athens. We didn't have a lot of time left in the day but we did make it to the Acropolis in Athens and the Acropolis Museum. Sitting at the top of the Acropolis is the world famous Parthenon--a temple dedicated to Athena. It is very large and well preserved. Many cities had an acropolis--which is just a high point of the city. However, many people know of this on as THE Acropolis. We were able to have a tremendous view of most of Athens from the top of this hill.

From this point of view we were also able to see numerous temples. On the acropolis there was the Parthenon (temple dedicated to Athena), a temple to Nike/Athena, a temple to Caesar Augustus, and another smaller temple to Athena. Then, when we looked down over the city, we saw temples to Zeus, Asclepius, Hephestus, and a few more that were dedicated to the emperors. All of that to say one important thing. When Paul entered Athens it said, "16 Now while Paul was waiting for them at Athens, his spirit was provoked within him as he saw that the city was full of idols" (Acts 17:16). So, even 2000 years later it is obvious that this city was "full of idols."

We were also able to stand on the location called the Areopagus. There is some discussion whether Paul went to this location called the Areopagus OR went to a group of people called the Areopagus. Either way, this is an important location. Paul was very bothered by all of the idols in Athens, so he began to preach the gospel to the people of Athens. Eventually a group of people asked him to explain himself some more. So Paul stood in the midst of the Areopagus and preached a very famous sermon. He said, "Men of Athens, I perceive that in every way you are very religious. 23 For as I passed along and observed the objects of your worship, I found also an altar with this inscription, ‘To the unknown god.’ What therefore you worship as unknown, this I proclaim to you. 24 The God who made the world and everything in it, being Lord of heaven and earth, does not live in temples made by man, 25 nor is he served by human hands, as though he needed anything, since he himself gives to all mankind life and breath and everything. 26 And he made from one man every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth, having determined allotted periods and the boundaries of their dwelling place, 27 that they should seek God, and perhaps feel their way toward him and find him. Yet he is actually not far from each one of us, 28 for

“ ‘In him we live and move and have our being’;

as even some of your own poets have said,

“ ‘For we are indeed his offspring.’

29 Being then God’s offspring, we ought not to think that the divine being is like gold or silver or stone, an image formed by the art and imagination of man. 30 The times of ignorance God overlooked, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent, 31 because he has fixed a day on which he will judge the world in righteousness by a man whom he has appointed; and of this he has given assurance to all by raising him from the dead.”

32 Now when they heard of the resurrection of the dead, some mocked. But others said, “We will hear you again about this.” 33 So Paul went out from their midst. 34 But some men joined him and believed, among whom also were Dionysius the Areopagite and a woman named Damaris and others with them." (Acts 17:22-33).

So, it's been a pretty good day. Another possitive note is that the further south we went, the warmer it became. The warmer it became the more the snow melted. Eventually, we arrived in Athens to warmer temperatures and NO SNOW! There as much rejoicing on the bus.

Now, we are all pretty exhausted and ready for bed. Need to get rested up for another busy day in Athens tomorrow.