One of my favourite parts of recently exploring Greece was diving into this cradle of Orthodox Christianity. Tradition is going strong here, the faith has roots in this land since the Apostles first set foot in Macedonia in about 50 AD. The account goes that Paul, a Jewish man from modern-day Turkey and one of the first Christian missionaries, was begged to come here by a Macedonian man in a dream. It's safe to say Greece has not been the same since.
We wandered into a rich and beautiful culture, made friends with a fellow believer studying in a monastery, took part in a Divine Liturgy a bit clueless to etiquette, listened in awe to alluring Eastern chants and gazed bewildered at grand frescoes and mesmerizing icons. We even got a peek at the spot where according to tradition, Paul preached to the Thessalonians. Domes and Byzantine arches, brushstrokes recounting ancient tales, symbols and song, columns of smoky myrrh rising to the heavens. I found that these rituals point me in a simple and sensory way to a higher power and loving presence.
I couldn't resist purchasing a miniature icon and incense burner, for prayers on the road.
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