MONDAY, MAY 16 - THESSALONIKI [Acts 17:1-9]
After a long day of travel, Msgr. Mark Pierce and his group of 40+ DSBS graduates and spouses arrived in Thessaloniki, the largest city of the Macedonia Province in Northern Greece - important for Christians because Paul preached there in 49 – 50 AD.
After a long day of travel, Msgr. Mark Pierce and his group of 40+ DSBS graduates and spouses arrived in Thessaloniki, the largest city of the Macedonia Province in Northern Greece - important for Christians because Paul preached there in 49 – 50 AD.
TUESDAY, MAY 17 – PHILIPPI / KAVALA / THESSALONIKI [Acts 16:11-17:1]
We celebrated Mass at the Baptistery of Lydia on the banks of the Zigoktis River where Paul baptized the first European Christian convert, Lydia (who was a merchant of purple textiles). Traveling east to the expansive and well-preserved site of Philippi (where Paul preached for the first time on the continent), we roamed the ruins of the Forum of Philippi, including the prison cell of Paul. We drove to the coastal port of Kavala (ancient Neapolis) where Paul took his first step in bringing the Gospel to present-day Europe. The day ended with a walking tour of downtown Thessaloniki (Arch of the Roman Emperor Galerius, the Via Egnatia, the Cathedral of St. Demetrius and St. Sophia), featuring spectacular views of the port from the city's historic White Tower.
We celebrated Mass at the Baptistery of Lydia on the banks of the Zigoktis River where Paul baptized the first European Christian convert, Lydia (who was a merchant of purple textiles). Traveling east to the expansive and well-preserved site of Philippi (where Paul preached for the first time on the continent), we roamed the ruins of the Forum of Philippi, including the prison cell of Paul. We drove to the coastal port of Kavala (ancient Neapolis) where Paul took his first step in bringing the Gospel to present-day Europe. The day ended with a walking tour of downtown Thessaloniki (Arch of the Roman Emperor Galerius, the Via Egnatia, the Cathedral of St. Demetrius and St. Sophia), featuring spectacular views of the port from the city's historic White Tower.
WEDNESDAY, MAY 18 – VERGINA / BEREA / METEORA / KALAMBAKA [Acts 17:10-14]
We left Thessaloniki after breakfast and drove through the beautiful Grecian countryside to Vergina and the tombs of Phillip II (father of Alexander the Great, who was buried in Alexandria, Egypt) and Alexander IV. Our next stop in Berea has a shrine that marks one of the places that Paul preached after receiving a vision in Troas: "And a vision appeared to Paul in the night. There stood a man of Macedonia, and prayed him, saying, 'Come over into Macedonia, and help us'." -- Acts 16:9. We continued to Kalambaka to visit Meteora, the ageless Byzantine Monasteries, part of UNESCO’s World Heritage List and containing priceless historical and religious treasures. Built in the 15th century by Christian monks to evade the Ottoman Turks, the monasteries are perched on immense granite stones that seem suspended between earth and sky.
We left Thessaloniki after breakfast and drove through the beautiful Grecian countryside to Vergina and the tombs of Phillip II (father of Alexander the Great, who was buried in Alexandria, Egypt) and Alexander IV. Our next stop in Berea has a shrine that marks one of the places that Paul preached after receiving a vision in Troas: "And a vision appeared to Paul in the night. There stood a man of Macedonia, and prayed him, saying, 'Come over into Macedonia, and help us'." -- Acts 16:9. We continued to Kalambaka to visit Meteora, the ageless Byzantine Monasteries, part of UNESCO’s World Heritage List and containing priceless historical and religious treasures. Built in the 15th century by Christian monks to evade the Ottoman Turks, the monasteries are perched on immense granite stones that seem suspended between earth and sky.
THURSDAY, MAY 19 – KALAMBAKA / THERMOPYLAE / DELPHI
Our drive from Kalambaka to Delphi included a stop at Thermopylae where 300 Spartans, led by King Leonidas, fought in a stand-off with an alliance of Greek city states against the large Persian army in 480 B.C. From here we continued on to Delphi, one of the best preserved Greek sites in the country! We toured the ancient oracle of Apollo at Delphi, the ‘’Omphalos’’ (navel) of the Earth, whose prestige extended beyond the ancient Hellenic World. At this World Heritage site we visited the Sanctuary of Apollo Pythios, the Treasury of the Athenians, the Temple of Apollo, and the Delphi Museum which contains several Greek masterpieces.
Our drive from Kalambaka to Delphi included a stop at Thermopylae where 300 Spartans, led by King Leonidas, fought in a stand-off with an alliance of Greek city states against the large Persian army in 480 B.C. From here we continued on to Delphi, one of the best preserved Greek sites in the country! We toured the ancient oracle of Apollo at Delphi, the ‘’Omphalos’’ (navel) of the Earth, whose prestige extended beyond the ancient Hellenic World. At this World Heritage site we visited the Sanctuary of Apollo Pythios, the Treasury of the Athenians, the Temple of Apollo, and the Delphi Museum which contains several Greek masterpieces.
FRIDAY, MAY 20 – DELPHI / ATHENS [Acts 17:15-34]
Departing Delphi after breakfast we drove to Athens with a short photo stop outside of scenic Arachova. Once settled in Athens, we admired the architectural wonders of the ancient city with the help of our knowledgeable guide, Foteini. We learned about the sites in and around the Acropolis - the Propylea, the Erechtheum and the Parthenon. We also had the opportunity climb Mars Hill (Areopagus) where Paul delivered his speech on the Unknown God.
Departing Delphi after breakfast we drove to Athens with a short photo stop outside of scenic Arachova. Once settled in Athens, we admired the architectural wonders of the ancient city with the help of our knowledgeable guide, Foteini. We learned about the sites in and around the Acropolis - the Propylea, the Erechtheum and the Parthenon. We also had the opportunity climb Mars Hill (Areopagus) where Paul delivered his speech on the Unknown God.
SATURDAY, MAY 21 - CORINTH / MYCENAE / TREASURY of ATREUS/ CENCHREAE / [Acts 18:1-18; Romans 16:1]
Our trip to Ancient Corinth (inland ruins of Corinth up to 1858) included a stop at the Corinth Canal located in modern Corinth (from 1858). Built in the late 19th Century (1882-1893), the canal is a four-mile carving of the isthmus (a narrow land bridge) between mainland Greece and the Peloponnese. In ancient times, there was a diolkos with pavement and large rollers where ships were "portaged" from the Saronic Gulf (eastern isthmus) to/from the Gulf of Corinth (western isthmus). Arriving in Ancient Corinth, we celebrated Mass before visiting the Archaeological Museum, the Temple of Apollo, the Roman Forum, and the Bema where Paul stood before Gallio in defense of accusations made by the Corinthians. Our "day in ruins" continued with a visit to Mycenae, the legendary city rival of Troy, described by Homer as “Mycenae rich in gold.” This city dates back to the late Bronze Age, and is famous for the “beehive” Tomb of Agamemnon (Treasury of Atreus) and the gold masks. We made a brief stop at Cenchreae, the home of Paul’s assistant Phoebe, and the harbor from which Paul sailed back to Ephesus, ending his second missionary journey.
Our trip to Ancient Corinth (inland ruins of Corinth up to 1858) included a stop at the Corinth Canal located in modern Corinth (from 1858). Built in the late 19th Century (1882-1893), the canal is a four-mile carving of the isthmus (a narrow land bridge) between mainland Greece and the Peloponnese. In ancient times, there was a diolkos with pavement and large rollers where ships were "portaged" from the Saronic Gulf (eastern isthmus) to/from the Gulf of Corinth (western isthmus). Arriving in Ancient Corinth, we celebrated Mass before visiting the Archaeological Museum, the Temple of Apollo, the Roman Forum, and the Bema where Paul stood before Gallio in defense of accusations made by the Corinthians. Our "day in ruins" continued with a visit to Mycenae, the legendary city rival of Troy, described by Homer as “Mycenae rich in gold.” This city dates back to the late Bronze Age, and is famous for the “beehive” Tomb of Agamemnon (Treasury of Atreus) and the gold masks. We made a brief stop at Cenchreae, the home of Paul’s assistant Phoebe, and the harbor from which Paul sailed back to Ephesus, ending his second missionary journey.
SUNDAY, MAY 22 - SYNTAGMA (CONSTITUTION) SQUARE / FAREWELL TO ATHENS / FLY TO ROME
After Mass in the hotel, we had the opportunity to witness the changing of the guard in Syntagma Square. There were throngs of people, probably because the ceremony had only recently been reinstated after a long COVID hiatus. We were free to roam the National Gardens and the Plaka before flying to Rome. The photos in this block include the previous days' visit to the ancient city of Mycenae, St. Constantine's Greek Orthodox Church (which a few of us visited), and a view of the Tiber River from one of Rome's many bridges.
After Mass in the hotel, we had the opportunity to witness the changing of the guard in Syntagma Square. There were throngs of people, probably because the ceremony had only recently been reinstated after a long COVID hiatus. We were free to roam the National Gardens and the Plaka before flying to Rome. The photos in this block include the previous days' visit to the ancient city of Mycenae, St. Constantine's Greek Orthodox Church (which a few of us visited), and a view of the Tiber River from one of Rome's many bridges.
MONDAY, MAY 23 – SAN CLEMENTE / JEWISH QUARTER / COLOSSEUM and ROMAN FORUM
Our tour commenced with Mass in the garden above the Catacombs of St. Domitilla, which is one of the largest underground cemeteries outside of Rome. We had lunch in the Jewish quarter (The Ghetto) and visited the church of St. Bartholomew. Our afternoon tour included a drive to the Aventine Hill to visit a few the earliest (titular) Christian churches of the city: San Clemente, Santa Sabina, and Santa Prisca (where Paul may have stayed with Prisca and Aquila while in Rome). The Basilica of San Clemente was particularly interesting because it is built on top of an ancient "mithraeum." Our day ended with a walk through the Imperial Rome area: a bus view of Palatine Hill and the Roman Forum, with significant time outside and inside the Colosseum.
Our tour commenced with Mass in the garden above the Catacombs of St. Domitilla, which is one of the largest underground cemeteries outside of Rome. We had lunch in the Jewish quarter (The Ghetto) and visited the church of St. Bartholomew. Our afternoon tour included a drive to the Aventine Hill to visit a few the earliest (titular) Christian churches of the city: San Clemente, Santa Sabina, and Santa Prisca (where Paul may have stayed with Prisca and Aquila while in Rome). The Basilica of San Clemente was particularly interesting because it is built on top of an ancient "mithraeum." Our day ended with a walk through the Imperial Rome area: a bus view of Palatine Hill and the Roman Forum, with significant time outside and inside the Colosseum.
TUESDAY, MAY 24 – VATICAN MUSEUM / SISTINE CHAPEL
SCAVI TOUR / SAINT SEBASTIAN'S and the TOMB of ST. JOHN PAUL II
We visited one of the great art collections in the world, the Vatican Museum, and admired the richly decorated hallways that led to the Sistine Chapel, the private chapel of the Popes, where Michelangelo best expressed his genius in monumental frescoes. From here we continued to St. Peter's Basilica. The awesome architecture and the statuary adorning this largest of all Christian churches, including Michelangelo’s magnificent “Pieta,” contains the tomb of St. John Paul XXIII. We had separate tours of the Vatican Scavi, the crypt area under the Basilica that preserves the remains of an ancient above-ground cemetery where St. Peter is buried. The day ended with a tour of St. Sebastian’s Chapel which contains the tomb of St. John Paul II.
SCAVI TOUR / SAINT SEBASTIAN'S and the TOMB of ST. JOHN PAUL II
We visited one of the great art collections in the world, the Vatican Museum, and admired the richly decorated hallways that led to the Sistine Chapel, the private chapel of the Popes, where Michelangelo best expressed his genius in monumental frescoes. From here we continued to St. Peter's Basilica. The awesome architecture and the statuary adorning this largest of all Christian churches, including Michelangelo’s magnificent “Pieta,” contains the tomb of St. John Paul XXIII. We had separate tours of the Vatican Scavi, the crypt area under the Basilica that preserves the remains of an ancient above-ground cemetery where St. Peter is buried. The day ended with a tour of St. Sebastian’s Chapel which contains the tomb of St. John Paul II.
WEDNESDAY, MAY 25 – PAPAL AUDIENCE / OSTIA ANTICA / BASILICA OF ST. PAUL OUTSIDE-THE-WALLS
We had an early morning breakfast and drive to San Peter’s Square where we situated ourselves for the weekly Papal Audience and blessing. We boarded our bus for the site of Ostia Antica for a sense of ancient Roman town life. Ostia was a cosmopolitan city, which is reflected in the various temples dedicated to Mithra (Persian), Magna Mater (Asia Minor), Isis (Egypt), and a Jewish synagogue. We had the opportunity to view the inside of a Roman house of more affluent community members, the remnants decorated with preserved frescoes and several insulae, the dwellings of the common people in Roman cities. Mass was celebrated at the Church of Saint Aurea in the small town of Ostia Antica. Our last stop was the Basilica of St. Paul Outside-the-Walls, built by Constantine in 390 AD and restored and dedicated in 1824 by Pius IX after being consumed by fire in 1823. It is one of two traditional places where Paul was beheaded (67 AD).
We had an early morning breakfast and drive to San Peter’s Square where we situated ourselves for the weekly Papal Audience and blessing. We boarded our bus for the site of Ostia Antica for a sense of ancient Roman town life. Ostia was a cosmopolitan city, which is reflected in the various temples dedicated to Mithra (Persian), Magna Mater (Asia Minor), Isis (Egypt), and a Jewish synagogue. We had the opportunity to view the inside of a Roman house of more affluent community members, the remnants decorated with preserved frescoes and several insulae, the dwellings of the common people in Roman cities. Mass was celebrated at the Church of Saint Aurea in the small town of Ostia Antica. Our last stop was the Basilica of St. Paul Outside-the-Walls, built by Constantine in 390 AD and restored and dedicated in 1824 by Pius IX after being consumed by fire in 1823. It is one of two traditional places where Paul was beheaded (67 AD).
THURSDAY, MAY 26 – BASILICA of SANTA MARIA MAGGIORE / BASILICA of SAINT JOHN LATERAN
SPANISH STEPS / BAROQUE CHURCHES AND SQUARES
We celebrated Mass at the third of the Major Basilicas, St. Mary Major, built by Pope Sixtus III (AD 432-440), with remarkable nave mosaics depicting scenes from the Old Testament; we also visited a nearby church with excellent mosaics: Santa Prassede (The Basilica of Saint Praxedes). The journey continued with a tour of the first Roman Church after Constantine began to favor Christianity, the second of the four Major Basilicas in Rome, St. John Lateran. Having emphasized the earliest Christian sights, a tour to Rome isn’t complete without visiting some of the remarkable Baroque churches of the city, making a walking tour down the Spanish Steps, through the Piazza Navona, past the Trevi Fountain, and ending with at the Pantheon. We enjoyed our farewell dinner at Il Vero Alfredo.
SPANISH STEPS / BAROQUE CHURCHES AND SQUARES
We celebrated Mass at the third of the Major Basilicas, St. Mary Major, built by Pope Sixtus III (AD 432-440), with remarkable nave mosaics depicting scenes from the Old Testament; we also visited a nearby church with excellent mosaics: Santa Prassede (The Basilica of Saint Praxedes). The journey continued with a tour of the first Roman Church after Constantine began to favor Christianity, the second of the four Major Basilicas in Rome, St. John Lateran. Having emphasized the earliest Christian sights, a tour to Rome isn’t complete without visiting some of the remarkable Baroque churches of the city, making a walking tour down the Spanish Steps, through the Piazza Navona, past the Trevi Fountain, and ending with at the Pantheon. We enjoyed our farewell dinner at Il Vero Alfredo.
A Chronology of Greece-Rome 2022 in Limerick
Day 1
Our trip was dubbed three times a charm,
And before there could be a fourth alarm,
We jumped on a plane,
With some help from Jane,
And eventually arrived here unharmed.
Day 2
The Gods of Greece in a land of polytheism,
Weren’t enough to keep Lydia from monotheism,
The beauty of the place,
Afforded us grace,
Which was timeless and not an anachronism.
Not far from the Aegean Sea,
Paul found Lydia a Christian to be.
After her baptism
He was thrown into prison
And the rest is history.
Day 3
Our first stop of tombs of the enthroned,
Couldn’t match monasteries on stone,
Diana said “hi”,
To the policemen nearby,
Real life next to what has been shown.
Day 4
Day four Delphi and all things foretelling,
Full of over-sized slabs of Greek spelling,
The Oracle sniffed,
Some gas from the cliff,
Her fortunes were not worth the smelling.
Day 5
We wound our way up to the Parthenon,
Where no one would dare to attack upon,
Trading goods in the agora,
Or queries on the stoa,
From Athens democracy would spawn (or have its dawn).
Day 6
The Corinth Canal’s a deep pit,
Measuring 84-four feet in its width.
We walked among ruins,
In a tomb sang some tunes,
And at Cenchreae marveled at Phoebe’s grit.
Day 7
After Mass we walked down to the square,
At Syntagma to see the guards there,
We shared jokes about Butter,
Who was a bit of a nutter,
And yet was somewhat debonaire.
Day 8
Day eight we had Mass over the dead,
Underground they count 27,000 head,
The ghetto for lunches,
Where artichokes lay in bunches,
After the Coliseum we were ready for bed.
Day 9
Museums were part of Day nine,
The Sistine Chapel was truly sublime,
We had close tour,
Peter’s bones the allure,
The last tour was less accurately timed.
Day 10
Day 10 was the Vatican grounded,
Where the pope’s voice of the people resounded,
We remember instead,
How Paul lost his head,
Not far from where Ostia was founded.
Day 11
Well, we’ve reached the end of our journey,
We’ve seen cities and miles of olive valleys,
In our quest for the ancients,
We’ve tried Fr. Mark’s patience,
But for Peter and Paul now will rally.
Day 1
Our trip was dubbed three times a charm,
And before there could be a fourth alarm,
We jumped on a plane,
With some help from Jane,
And eventually arrived here unharmed.
Day 2
The Gods of Greece in a land of polytheism,
Weren’t enough to keep Lydia from monotheism,
The beauty of the place,
Afforded us grace,
Which was timeless and not an anachronism.
Not far from the Aegean Sea,
Paul found Lydia a Christian to be.
After her baptism
He was thrown into prison
And the rest is history.
Day 3
Our first stop of tombs of the enthroned,
Couldn’t match monasteries on stone,
Diana said “hi”,
To the policemen nearby,
Real life next to what has been shown.
Day 4
Day four Delphi and all things foretelling,
Full of over-sized slabs of Greek spelling,
The Oracle sniffed,
Some gas from the cliff,
Her fortunes were not worth the smelling.
Day 5
We wound our way up to the Parthenon,
Where no one would dare to attack upon,
Trading goods in the agora,
Or queries on the stoa,
From Athens democracy would spawn (or have its dawn).
Day 6
The Corinth Canal’s a deep pit,
Measuring 84-four feet in its width.
We walked among ruins,
In a tomb sang some tunes,
And at Cenchreae marveled at Phoebe’s grit.
Day 7
After Mass we walked down to the square,
At Syntagma to see the guards there,
We shared jokes about Butter,
Who was a bit of a nutter,
And yet was somewhat debonaire.
Day 8
Day eight we had Mass over the dead,
Underground they count 27,000 head,
The ghetto for lunches,
Where artichokes lay in bunches,
After the Coliseum we were ready for bed.
Day 9
Museums were part of Day nine,
The Sistine Chapel was truly sublime,
We had close tour,
Peter’s bones the allure,
The last tour was less accurately timed.
Day 10
Day 10 was the Vatican grounded,
Where the pope’s voice of the people resounded,
We remember instead,
How Paul lost his head,
Not far from where Ostia was founded.
Day 11
Well, we’ve reached the end of our journey,
We’ve seen cities and miles of olive valleys,
In our quest for the ancients,
We’ve tried Fr. Mark’s patience,
But for Peter and Paul now will rally.