Day 10 – Tuesday, July 9: Athens: Acropolis, Rock of Areopagus, City Tour, Constitution Square
Today was our last full day in Greece and was another great day. We once again enjoyed sunny blue skies, with warm temps in the mid 90s. We would spend the entire day in Athens, the capital of Greece. We read from Romans 12 as we left the hotel at 8 am.
Athens – Acropolis
We drove a short distance to the Acropolis. As we arrived, we began our climb up past the odeon (small theater that held 5,000) and the Temple of Nike, and through the Propylea (“gate-way” marked with huge pillars today). Reaching the top we saw the Erechtheum (a temple built in 421-406 BC honoring Athena, Poseidon, and Erechtheus a local goddess) and the Parthenon (built between 447-432 BC). Looking down on the top from the Acropolis in all directions we could see the Temple of Zeus, the Agora (the center of economic and public life) the Stoa of Attilos, and Mt. Lycabetus.
Leaving the Acropolis we stood at the base of the Rock of Areopagus (“Mar’s Hill) where Paul delivered his testimony. From here we could see the Agora a bit closer-up, which included the Temple of Hephaestus and the Stoa. We read Paul’s “defense” he gave (recorded in Acts 17) as he was seized and arrested and brought (epi-lambano in Greek) before this legal court (similar to how Socrates was seized for teaching something new to children in 399 BC).
In the context of the pagan customs and culture of the day, Paul was quite bold in proclaiming Christ here. Praise God for those who heard and responded to Paul’s message that day!
“Today was our last day here in Athens. To ascend to the top of the famous Acropolis of Athens was indeed special, despite the masses of people. To hear the words spoken by Paul on Mar’s Hill was even more special, knowing that God used him to share the Good News of Christ with so many people.”

City Tour of Athens
Leaving this area, we boarded back on the bus and enjoyed a brief city tour of Athens. We drove past by the Temple of Zeus, Hadrian’s Arch, and the old Olympic stadium of Athens (made of all marble and restored for the 1896 Olympic Games). At Constitution Square some of us got off the bus and enjoyed seeing the changing of the guards. Some walked to the Plaka, while others enjoyed a restful afternoon back at the hotel.
We enjoyed our last dinner together at 6:30. We all fly home at various times tomorrow morning. It has been a great trip, with a great guide, driver, and group! Praise be to God.
Day 11 – Wednesday, July 10: Morning Flights to the U.S., Connecting Flights Home





