Wednesday, September 10, 2014

Day 9: Following in the footsteps of Paul

Today we traveled by bus to Thessaloniki.  Along the way we stopped in Virea (we know it in the Bible as Berea) to see the spot where the Apostle Paul preached to the crowds.  At that place, we saw the three steps where Paul shared the Good News of Jesus Christ to the people.  He stayed here "three Sabbaths".  It's overwhelming to see marble steps from the first century A.D. and know the message that was shared then is still the message that lights our way today.  We continued our journey along the path of Paul's second missionary journey.  He followed the path from the port of Kabala to Thessoloniki after receiving a vision of a Mecedonian asking him to come to Mecedonia and help them.  We know this story from the Book of Acts.

After arriving in Thessaloniki, we visited the Basilica of St. Dimitri, the patron saint of the city.  It was a beautiful Greek Orthodox Church that is said to have healing power in the natural spring that flowed under the church.  In that church, we also got to tour the crypt and the beautiful garden.

Our evening ended with a Mass celebrated at the Church of the Immaculate Conception.  Once again a time to thank God for all the blessings he has bestowed on us, a time to offer our prayers for all your intentions that traveled here with us, and a time to ask for God's continued blessings on our journey.

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