Greece! (Thessaloniki and Philippi)

A view of Thessaloniki from the sky

Who knew a study abroad trip would teach me how faithfully God answers prayer? No words adequately describe the thanksgiving I feel towards dozens of you who prayed and supported my spring break trip to Greece! Over the next couple blog posts, I offer a small gift of words and photos to share a taste of the journey. I experienced the peace of being covered by prayer every day. God worked powerfully through your intercession!

Twenty students and two professors came on the trip. Eighteen of us took a class on Intertestamental Period History and Literature. The worldview, language and global relations throughout the Mediterranean and Western world arise from the Greek and Roman empires whose births occur during this time period. Between studying the impact of empire rule of the time period and reading literature written in response, I developed a deeper understanding of reality for the Jews when Christ came. Additionally, we saw that Pharisees, Sadducees, zealots and other Jewish sects formed as a crisis response. Jews were living in harsh conditions and walking on eggshells. Unbelievers took over their land in conquest to dominate the world. Greek replaced Hebrew in certain Jewish communities. The Temple had been destroyed; would God again forsake them to the enemy? How could they serve God in a world opposed to Old Testament religious practice? Today the Church faces similar wrestling. How do we serve in a world though we are not of the world?

God remained sovereign through the intertestamental period even when His people saw only the oppression and darkness. He used the Greek empire to connect the world, and provided an appropriate stage for the Gospel to come forth and spread under the Roman empire. God's sovereignty remains unchanged. My hope lies not in government, social reform, comfortable atmosphere for the church, or lack of opposition. My hope rests securely in Christ. He calls me to follow Him faithfully, abiding in the comfort and promise of His love. I am hidden in Him, and He holds the victory. This is the secure foundation from which each Christian can live and proclaim Truth to a world drowning in darkness.

Immediately after getting off the plane, we drove through Thessaloniki (in the Bible, Thessalonica). 

Our first stop: the agora from Acts 17:1-9. Luke records that a mob of bad characters (literally, those who hung out in the agora, choosing not to work) stirred up by Jews jealous of Paul brought Jason before city officials, which in Greek is "politarchas." Critics of the Bible claimed Luke made up their word, because no evidence of its use was found in Greek documents from the time. Thus, they said, Luke's historical account proves untrustworthy, and the Bible contains gross errors. However, a stone inscription was later found, listing the politarchas of Thessaloniki! Archaeology aids Christian apologetics for the Bible once again.

The agora serve as more than a market. Rather, it was the heart of the city. Government offices, court, thought exchange and commerce occurred side by side.

The rounded area on the middle left of the photo is where the city officials would have sat as they heard the case against Paul and his friends.

Near the agora, we visited a Greek Orthodox church dedicated to Saint Demetrius, who fought as a warrior for the nation.

Greek orthodox churches draw the the eye to the altar through artwork and architecture. Over the altar Jesus Christ is depicted in the dome. The altar rests behind a wall, hidden from the laymen. Only priests go behind the wall to minister at the altar. (Think table, not Old Testament altar for animal sacrifice)

The relics, or remains, of Saint Demetrius in a small chapel within the church (see bellow photo).

An ancient and modern fesco of Saint Demetrius.

Note the candles hanging in the back of the row that reach down to the floor!

Veneration to an icon by kissing the hand of the depicted apostle or saint.

Next, we drove a short ways to a tower left from the walls which surrounded the city during the classical Greek and Hellenistic periods into the Roman era (500s BC to AD 200s). The wall was removed to allow fresh sea breezes to enter the city; without these breezes, illness ran rampant throughout the community.

The Aegean Sea

Finally, we drove to the peak of the city where a fort overlooked the landscape.

Graffiti covers the cities of Greece.

Overlooking Thessaloniki, our professor Dr. Sanchez read from 1 Thessalonians. Paul encourages the church that Christians do not grieve the dead like those who have no hope. This young church was trying to grow despite their founder being forced away from them shortly after his arrival. The Thessalonian church faced opposition (remember Jason from Acts 17) and worried that they missed the return of the Lord, or that Christians who passed away would be left behind when Christ came. These concerns took on a new air of gravity, because we had passed the expansive Jewish cemetery which had existed since the time of Paul. Paul encourages the young yet wholly devoted Christians of Thessalonica and today who face opposition, "We know, brothers loved by God, that He has chosen you because our gospel came to you not simply with words, but also with power, with the Holy Spirit and with deep conviction" (1 Thess. 1:4-5) and "May God Himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. The one who calls you is faithful and He will do it." (5:23-24).

Dinner together at a local restaurant!

Thessaloniki in the morning from our hotel balcony.

The next day, we boarded the bus again bound for Philippi.

Spring in the air of Greece! Almond blossoms displayed their exuberant new life across the countryside.

Our tour went through the theatre, a basilica and the agora of Philippi.

Greeks built theatres, while Romans constructed amphitheaters. The difference? A theatre, depicted above, is a half circle of seats facing a lower, open area. In an amphitheater, the seats wrap around in an entire circle.

The remains of a Byzantine-era (between AD 500 and 1000s) basilica. A basilica is a rectangular shaped building. The style originated with the Romans for community to gather various natures, such as temples. When Constantinople legalized Christianity, the believers adopted a basilica model, because for the first time they were allowed to construct public places of worship.

The agora.

This end would have housed the head government officials, included the jailer's house where the prison occupied the bottom floor and the jailer's family lived above.

A cistern once believed to have been where Paul and Silas were prisoned. Reconsideration of archeological knowledge negates this theory.

Reading Acts 16:16-40. Our professor Bobby Moss pointed out the improper use of Philippians 1:6, "He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus." Paul never intended these words as a pep talk for Christians living over-all comfortable lives. Rather, the words were penned from prison to a church undergoing persecution. Paul did not want to travel to Macedonia with the Gospel; his heart was to return to the churches in Asia Minor (see Acts 15). Yet he and his friends bowed in submission to the Holy Spirit's guidance, even when He seemed to be stopping a God-honoring mission. Upon receiving instruction to preach in Macedonia (northern Greece, not the country of North Macedonia), the group did not present questions, doubts, or a list of pros and cons. They immediately set off for a foreign mission field previously out of their radar. In return for their obedience, they received opposition, beating, imprisonment and pain. Yet they chose to praise God, trusting His sovereignty, goodness and power above their understanding or situation. Because of their faithfulness to trust in the suffering, the Philippian church was born in a prison. Thus, Philippians must be read as the Gospel of hope and joy provoking faithful trust in the midst of suffering for Christ.

Philippians with the area where the jailer's house likely stood in the background

I walked around the agora that morning burdened by a question: would I sing in the cell? Celebrate a beating for His name? Trust Him when I see opposition? I heard the cries of agony the missionaries screamed as their backs bruised or tore open. The clang of chains reverberated through agora ruins like a prison of doubt. Christ spoke to my spirit, asking me to count the cost. To count it in fear, afraid I would fail my Lord if placed in Paul or Silas's shoes.

The words across Philippians spoke truth: endurance and victory through suffering for Christ's sake comes by resting in His strength. I am weak, but I am no longer my own. I am hidden in Christ. And His hand holds Almighty power! 

Pieces from walls, floors, monuments and pillars lay across the agora floor. At most Greek ruins we were able to touch everything, which brings history to life!

Unique floor pattern

A few churches, like this one, were build in a octagon shape. Members then sat with no stage, highlighting the equality among the fellowship of believers with Christ at the center.

The floor of the octagon church

A humorous phenomenon: I knew exactly what these grain/food storage jars were because of my parents' pictures and stories of their time as missionaries in Nigeria.

The table with a hole against the back wall is actually a toilet.

Next, we visited a cite believed to be the location where Paul and Silas met Lydia. Because this river is within walking distance from Philippi, it was chosen as a historically plausible place to commemorate the first believer in Macedonia.

Once a seller of purple

prayed by bubbling brook

now memory of seeking

truth continues, blossoms

here today gone tomorrow

clothed in glory for brief

moment, exalting Creator

with brief minutes alongside

the brook.

After praying beside the river where my namesake sought God years before, I revisited Acts 16 with the desire to know how Lydia glorified God, hoping to imitate her. God showed me that Lydia faithfully sought Him. She moved to Macedonia from her home in Thyatira (Asia Minor); in a new place without a synagogue- which shows the minority of God followers in that area, because ten Jewish men were needed to start a synagogue- Lydia persevered in seeking God. She longed to know Him, which showed in a dedication to prayer. As a result, her heart proved fertile ground when the Gospel came. She received truth because she sought her Maker.

Furthermore, Lydia responded to God's Word even when those around her did not. Scripture remains silent concerning the response of the other women praying by the river. Perhaps they also believed, but the lack of celebrating their conversion suggests Lydia alone responded to the Gospel. Either way, Lydia refused to remain in fellowship with the Savior alone. She brought her entire household along! By God's power, Lydia bravely obeyed truth without the affirmation of community, then boldly called those she knew to follow.

Finally, Lydia demonstrated hospitality. She not only invited but also urged the apostles to stay at her house. After their imprisonment in Philippi, the apostle again found welcome at Lydia's home. Here they met with the brothers and encouraged them, showing that Lydia extended hospitality to the entire new church. Perhaps the congregation met in her home. The Good News transformed not only Lydia's heart, but also her family and home.

If anyone needed further proof that Moody Bible Institute professors love their students, consider that Dr. Sanchez laid on the ground on his own initiative to get the right angle for this picture :)

The chapel at Lydia's Baptistry

A mosaic mapping Paul's second missionary journey- which began at Philippi.

How fun to visit these cites throughout our trip and literally walk the ground where Paul, Silas, Timothy and Luke while carrying the Gospel across Greece!

Greek Orthodox art is truly among the most breathtaking scenes I have experiences. The mosaic in the above photo even used gold pieces!

Christian art began when books were incredibly rare and expensive. Additionally, a large part of the church members were illiterate. Frescos depicted Bible stories for congregations to "read" in picture form. The fresco above shows Paul's team encountering Lydia.

Stay tuned for part two!