Exploring Greece, Israel, and Jordan– Part Twenty Five

Exploring Greece, Israel, and Jordan– Part Twenty Five July 24, 2018

Certainly one of the most beautiful little chapels in all of Greece is the chapel of Lydia and Paul by the river at Philippi, celebrating the first convert in what would become Europe. The chapel in fact is still being added to as we will see in a moment. The exterior is typical of Greek Orthodox churches in Greece, But it is the inside which truly impresses. First here are the stained glass windows— The middle of these three pictures is of Paul and Lydia. I’ll let you guess who the other saints represented are. The little dome is also impressive—-

As are the saints on the wall.

Some of these are Biblical figures like Timothy or Luke, but most are saints of the church. The Orthodox theology of worship involves the concept that earthly worship done right joins with heavenly worship so that the saints above and below are worshipping together, wherever it is done in spirit and in truth.

If we wonder what Lydia herself may have actually looked like, her is a good idea—-

The entrance way to the chapel is equally beautiful—

There is a new mosaic floor in the entrance way, which mimics the Madaba map in the church in Madaba Jordan, except, this maps shows cities in the region where Christianity flourished…..
Those with a little knowledge of Greek can identify Corinth, Athens, Berea, Thessalonike, Philippi, Ephesus, Antioch on the map. Here’s an overview from the side….

There is just outside the church and by the river, a site for baptisms, or baptismal renewal services which is equally beautiful. It is right that the first convert in what we call Europe be celebrated in this way……


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