Day 12 – Wednesday, May 18: Delphi, Athens, Mt. Lycabetus Hike
Today was another beautiful day here in Greece, with sunny skies and temps around 80. A few puffy clouds showed up this afternoon in the Parnassos mountains in the area of Delphi.
Delphi
We left from our hotel shortly after 8 a.m. following breakfast on the rooftop of our hotel. The drive was scenic, with wide open country. We turned off the national highway to head towards the high Parnassos Mountain range. After a short rest stop, we arrived in Delphi to see the archaeological site and museum.
We first visited the archaeological site. We ascended throughputs the Agora (marketplace) and the Treasury to the famous Temple of Apollo. Higher up the site was the theater and an intact well-preserved stadium. Paul captured the culture by exhorting Christ followers to “run the race well…” (1 Corinthians 9). The Pythian Games were held here in Delphi every four years in honor of Apollo. Below on the other side was where the gymnasium was located.
Delphi was known in this classical period of Greece as the place of oracles. The women who shared oracles were call Pythia. Acts 16:16 uses the same word. Paul and Silas preached that accepting Christ as spoken in the very Word (e.g. oracle) of God and trusting in God’s Spirit is what gives purpose and direction for our lives! God also accepts us as as redeemed by Christ by virtue of His sacrifice. We are encouraged to live as a “living sacrifice to God, holy and acceptable to God (Romans 12:1-2).
Following our visit to the site, we walked through the museum. Many impressive artifacts are displayed here, including the famous bronze charioteer (dating to 476 BC), and the Gallio Inscription. It dates to 52 AD, precisely when Paul was in Corinth. This was written by a scribe named Claudius who mentions “my friend Gallio the proconsul of Achaia.” Luke mentions him as the one who addressed Paul from the Bema in Corinth (Acts 18:14-16).
“Today we traveled north to Delphi. It was a gorgeous drive and the site was incredible! I never knew Delphi was located on such a high mountain range. What a comparison also between the pagan oracles that happened here with the truth of Scripture and the direction we can find through His Spirit.”
Lunch/Ride to Athens/Mt. Lycabetus
Just outside the town of Delphi we visited a wonderful Greek restaurant for a late lunch. Many had lamb chops, Greek salad or Moussaka. We drove back to Athens the same way. Eight in the group ventured up to the top of Mt. Lycabetus. What a stunning view of the city of Athens (5.5 million people)!
Day 13 – Thursday, May 19: Corinth, Mycenae, Athens, Plaka
