2025 Greek Pilgrimage - Day Five

Athens: Where Ancient Stones Speak of Faith and History

While James and I set sail, the rest of the team visited the Acropolis, the iconic citadel that crowns the city. Up there, they also saw the Propylaea, the grand gateway that has greeted visitors for over two millennia, the Parthenon, with its graceful columns reaching toward the sky, and the Erectheum, famous for its Porch of the Caryatids—elegant female figures carved in stone.

Just steps away was Mars Hill (Areopagus), a rocky outcrop where the apostle Paul once preached to the Athenians. It was here that he declared, “I found an altar with this inscription, TO THE UNKNOWN GOD. Whom therefore ye ignorantly worship, him declare I unto you” (Acts 17:23). 

From there, they could see the Agora, the ancient marketplace that was once the heart of Athenian public life. This is where Paul reasoned with philosophers about “Jesus and the resurrection” (Acts 17:18), planting seeds of faith amid the world’s great thinkers.

The tour continued past modern landmarks—the stately House of Parliament, the Presidential Palace, and the solemn Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, where the changing of the guard offers a glimpse of Greece’s living traditions.

Some fun Greek facts from Trish... Athens is 7000 years old.

The Acropolis is made of marble and dates to the 5th century bc

The Parthenon temple is not the oldest or largest

Unique because it was finished in 8 years, to construct the temple was a duty of the Athenians

The roof was translucent marble, so it was bright during the daytime.

The afternoon was free, and they spent it shopping and more touristy sightseeing.  Prayers as they head home tomorrow (Saturday).

James and I left the group at breakfast to begin our 3-day cruise extension…we boarded the ship and sailed the blue waters of the Aegean Sea. It was a (kind of) relaxing, resetting, just what we needed day at sea.  KIND OF BECAUSE...Greece is known for its wind and today was no exception! It made for a very rocky boat ride across the sea! This evening, we arrived at Mykonos where we toured the harbor, saw some beautiful old churches, and ate a delicious local dinner. As it turns out, Mykonos has absolutely nothing to do with Paul's Journeys 🤷🏻‍♀️

Until tomorrow,

Donna Matthews