Cowbright: April 17, 2024 Meteora Monastery

April 17, 2024 Meteora Monastery (April 17)

Trip notes: In Meteora, women are required to wear skirts below the knee and men, pants. From Athens, our tour travels northward past Thermopylae where we learn of the famous Spartan battle of 300. We continue through the mountains to Meteora. Here we see the world famous Byzantine monasteries that are perched precariously on summits of gray rock pinnacles of varied and beautiful shapes. Their history goes back to the 14th century when the monks sought refuge in the cliff side caves, then fled higher to build the original wooden shelters, later transformed into monasteries. Our lodging this evening is in Meteora.

Ronnie's FaceBook post:

There are 6 or 7 monasteries built on top of the rock formations you see in the distance. Olive trees (lighter green) below on the left. We were driven up as far as we could go in the van, then climbed the stairs to enter the monastery along with our Greek guide.

what goes up....

must come down....

I included a photo of the 12,000 liter water barrel the monks use to store water. Also I photographed the rope basket and winch used to lift materials, food, etc up to the monastery.

consider the logistics...

but the view from the top is amazing!

Meteora Monastery, Greece

water storage

method used to bring goods up

method of lifting

I snapped this photo (of a photo) in area above

sneak peak at narthex

3 fingers (Trinity)

many different saints and icons

After touring parts of the monastery, Pastor Craig Bollinger did an amazing job of walking us through the different aspects of the Lord's Prayer (Matthew 6).

Photos were not allowed inside the incredible inner portion, only the entrance area.

I always thought monasticism was contrary to Jesus' command to share the gospel with others. But judging by the hundreds of people touring the site, God used the monks work to create a beautiful testimony to the gospel that has stood for centuries.

As a 15th century orthodox Christian site, it had nothing to do with our "Steps of Paul" trip but it was on the way to Berea, so we stopped.

Jan's notes:

We were up and out by 7 am this morning in an attempt to beat the traffic out of town since there is a I couldn't resist sharing the view from our hotel balcony tonight (1st photo). There are 7 monasteries built atop the rock formations you see in the distance. Olive trees (lighter green) below on left. We climbed up (using steps, ha!) to visit the Meteora Monastery along with our Greek guide. Pastor Craig Bollinger (Christ the King Lutheran, Charlotte, NC) did an amazing job of walking us through the different aspects of the Lord's Prayer (Matthew 6).

It was a fantastic day! PS No photos allowed inside the incredible inner portion, only the entrance area.

Craig Bollinger, Christ the King Lutheran Church

From there, we were taken to our hotel for the night. These are a few more pictures I took while at the monastery, plus the early morning one just after sunrise. The view is so beautiful there; it's hard to take a bad photo! I have many more (of course) but you'll get the idea.