Not quite shipwrecked

It's well known that St Paul was shipwrecked during his travels. This is how he came to stay in Malta for 3 months. Well...... we didn't quite get shipwrecked but we did sail for 4 hours on the Aegean Sea from Patmos to Greece and a quarter of our pilgrims were victims of sea sickness. But as true pilgrims do, no one gave up! In Turkey we visited the ancient town of Miletus where St Paul delivered a farewell address predicting his death. The ruins in Miletus are superbly kept and you really got a feeling for what the ancient town would have been like in times before Christ.
A long day today, with many people still struggling to find their land legs.

Revelations

"If anyone has ears to hear, let him listen to what the Spirit is saying."

Today Deacon Sam spoke to us about the importance of not being 'lukewarm' in our faith (Revelation 3) in a mass that was set in a mountainous ampitheatre that looked over the Aegean sea. Stunning! This was close to the cave where St John the Evangelist stayed and dictated the gospels.

I would have to say that the top of Patmos Island would have to be the most beautiful place that I have ever been. Typical blue and white buildings of Greece with water views to die for! A bit of time for shopping and some goat for dinner. Apparently the goat was roaming the mountains yesterday and was named Sean. Tasted much like lamb.

Off to Turkey tomorrow and am hoping that no one feels sick on this 4 hour trip in a smallish chartered boat.

Hillbilly Landing

We had 2 very rocky flights on our way to the great islands. Cardinal Pell told that he has flown with many different airlines but has never experienced 2 "hillbilly" landings like this!
But was it worth it? Yes! A beautiful mass in the only Catholic church of Kos and a visit to the home of Hippocrates. Amazing blue water hues that are typical of the Greek islands and some Zorba dancing over dinner. This followed by a late boat ride to our next island of Patmos - arriving at our hotel at 12am. Time to hit the road again and explore some more.

The letters of St Paul come to Life

Today we travelled 5 hours north along the coast of Greece to experience two more significant sites in the life of Paul. Acts 16 come to life as we visit the Baptisery of Lydia, the ruins of the market place in Phillipi and the place where St Paul was imprisoned. As the rain was threatening our outdoor mass by the river moved indoor to a cafe. Cardinal Pell reminded us that this was the way in which our church started. Not in grand churches but in places where the faithful gathered.
The afternoon saw us arrive in the fishing town of Kavala. With views to the water and a castle to complete the picture, it has provided this group of pilgrims with the perfect place to rest. Up early tomorrow with a bus trip and 2 flights. Will be sitting on the island of Patmos next time we meet.

Climb a little further

We are now in Kalambaka and have visited the rick formations known as Meteora. Perched high on these rocks we visited monasteries and Greek orthodox chapels. Amazingly, the monks hauled each other up in nets to these 15th century accomplishments. Simply breath-taking!

A Blogger Amongst Many

http://footstepsstpaul2012.posterous.com
As I sit in the foyer of our hotel I am with Cardinal Pell, Deacon Sam and 9 fellow pilgrims with iPads or laptops in hand. Feel free to visit this link that has contributions from many of us - one thing to learn, something to laugh at and some cool photos.

We Are Pilgrims!

We have finally arrived! After a long haul flight and a 6 hour delay in Singapore (and many teachers sleeping on airport lounges) we have finally arrived. Everyone is tired but in good spirits, remembering that we are pilgrims and not tourists. After a short afternoon in Athens we woke to a trip to Corinth. Paul spent a lot of time in Corinth preaching to a community lacking in moral conduct. Hardly the place to start but Paul loved a challenge and found the people quite receptive to what he had to say. We celebrated mass here with Cardinal Pell and Deacon Sam. The stray dogs that lived there nestled beside the altar and joined in. We then moved on to Athens to see the Acropolis, the Parthenon and Aerpagus. Paul went there to preach upon this huge rock and we joyed in climbing in his literal footsteps to take in the view he had over all of Athens. So much in one day and such a brave man!