February 25, 2004

At the very top of my list of things to see and do while in Athens was to stand on Mars Hill where the Apostle Paul delivered his famous "To an Unknown God" sermon recorded in Acts 17.

I have done that, and it was grand.

The large plaque on the right side of the picture is the transcript of Paul's sermon in Greek.

The most prominent landmark in Athens is the remains of the Parthenon which sits high above the city on top of the Acropolis, one of several hills that project suddenly upward in and around the city. The Parthenon was completed by Pericles in 438BC. It was built on top of no less than 4 previous alters to the goddess Athena, and it housed, among other things, a magnificent 10 meter statue of Athena that was completely covered in gold and ivory.

As I took the picture of Mars Hill, my back was to the Parthenon which sits several hundred feet higher than Mars Hill. If they were at the same elevation, I could easily hit one from the other with a stone. I would love to know if Paul was facing the Parthenon or if he had his back to it addressing an audience toward the Agora. I shall try to remember to ask him when I see him.

In either case, he was literally in the shadow of that icon of pagan idolatry as he spoke.

You can't tell from this picture of Mars Hill, but the steps up it are cut out of the hill and they are very slick. I went up the hill on my hands and knees and came down on the seat of my pants. I wanted to "stand" on Mars Hill, but I had no desire to "fall" on Mars Hill. Dignity be hanged.

As you can see in the picture above, construction and renovation is everywhere apparent as Athens frantically plans for the return of the Olympics to its originating site this August. Several of the museums, including the most famous Archeology Museum, have been closed over a year for renovation and, unfortunately, they still are. But the museum on top of the Acropolis is open and it is truly marvelous.

Meet the Spring 2004 Graduates

On the left is Veron Shabanaj, born in Tirana, Albania. He is 24 years old, has lived in Athens for 7 years and has been a Christian for 3 years. He was first introduced to the Gospel by his brother back in Tirana, but he was not baptized until after he came to Athens.

In the middle is Philip Van Dyke. Philip was born in Pinelands, Capetown,

On the right in the picture above, and here pictured with his family, is Beni Leka. Beni is 35 years old. He was born in Korca, Albania. He has been in Athens for 13 years and he has been a Christian for 8 years. Upon first coming to Athens, Beni studied biology in the University and had no belief in any god.

Dino Tzanetos, who is now the preacher for the Church in Athens, was in Korca, Albania doing evangelical work, and while there he met the brother of Beni’s wife, Sonila. As a favor to him, he sent a package with some clothes to Sonila and thus began an acquaintance that would lead to both Beni and his bride being baptized and married on the same day, May 12, 1996.

He and his wife Sonila have two children: Andrew, age 8 and Christine, age 4.