We began our time in Greece with a couple of down days in Athens. We rested and didn’t really do very much at all except explore some of the centre of the city. We did find a great little restaurant about 10 minutes walk from the hotel, which had very cheap food and wine, and very generous hosts. We went there both nights as it was so good. First night we got tzatziki on the house, and the second night I got a glass of wine on the house. After every meal, you get free grapes, and free fresh, hot cinnamon donuts with honey on half, and chocolate sauce on the other half. No wonder we went back!! It was extremely good value.

We met up with our next tour group and our first day was mostly travel getting north to Thessaloniki, a beautiful city on the northern shores of the Aegean built around a very protected bay. We were very surprised by the number of toll booths on the motorway north. They just kept coming.

On our journey north we saw Mt Olympus, or should I say, part of Mt Olympus as the cloud cover was pretty dense. That mountain range is home to a huge number of species of plant and animal, including bear, boar, wolf, deer and eagle.

As we approached Thessaloniki we visited a panoramic view of the city from a high point of the old city wall. Following narrow quaint lane ways down the hillside we were in the middle of the city and visited an orthodox basilica dedicated to Demetrios, saw an arch and rotunda built by the 4th century Roman emperor, Galerius, and statues of Philip, Alexander the Great’s father, and Alexander the Great himself, the great Greek leader, who conquered so much of the known world.

Paul visited Thessaloniki on his second missionary journey, and preached for 3 consecutive weeks in the synagogue. His preaching and message to the people caused a rabble amongst the Jews, and he ended up being chased out of the city.

He wrote to the Thessalonians …

“ ^{1Th. 1:2}  We give thanks to God always for all of you, constantly mentioning you in our prayers,  ³ remembering before four God and Father your work of faith and labour of love and steadfastness of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.  ⁴ For we know, brothers and sisters loved by God, that he has chosen you,  ⁵ because our gospel came to you not only in word, but also in power and in the Holy Spirit and with full conviction. You know what kind of men we proved to be among you for your sake.  ⁶ And you became imitators of us and of the Lord, for you received the word in much affliction, with the joy of the Holy Spirit,  ⁷ so that you became an example to all the believers in Macedonia and in Achaia.  ⁸ For not only has the word of the Lord sounded forth from you in Macedonia and Achaia, but your faith in God has gone forth everywhere, so that we need not say anything.  ⁹ For they themselves report concerning us the kind of reception we had among you, and how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God,  ¹⁰ and to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, Jesus who delivers us from the wrath to come.”

It was raining as we drove from Thessaloniki to Philippi. We hadn’t seen rain in several weeks so it was a bit of a novelty. We were pleased though that it didn’t stop us from getting out, and when we came to the area of Philippi the rain had eased. We first visited a site believed to be where Lydia, the seller of purple goods, was baptised by Paul after hearing the gospel and responding. Acts 16 tells the story of Paul coming to Philippi, and going outside the city gates to the riverside where they were looking for a place of prayer, and found a group of women. The river we saw was a beautiful narrow stream that flowed over rocks, it was wonderful to consider the ministry that had happened somewhere near where we were.

We then went to the ancient site of Philippi, and walked among the ruins, seeing the Agora [market place], the remains of an early Christian basilica, the possible place where Paul was imprisoned, and the Philippian theatre.

We went to Kavala for lunch, which is on the site of ancient Neapolis, where Paul arrived in Greece after sailing from Samothrace. We walked a short way around the town and saw a viaduct initially built by the Romans, and renovated and renewed by the Ottomans. It was in great condition, and very impressive, as was the view from the top of the hill, looking out over both sides of this gorgeous little Greek town towards the Aegean Sea.

We continued back to Thessaloniki for our second night and before dinner we took a walk down to the water’s edge and back through the city centre. A lovely way to conclude our time there.

Phil. ^1:3   I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, ⁴ always in every prayer of mine for you all making my prayer with joy,  ⁵ because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now.  ⁶ And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.  ⁷ It is right for me to feel this way about you all, because I hold you in my heart, for you are all partakers with me of grace, both in my imprisonment and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel.  ⁸ For God is my witness, how I yearn for you all with the affection of Christ Jesus.  ⁹ And it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment,  ¹⁰ so that you may approve what is excellent, and so be pure and blameless for the day of Christ,  ¹¹ filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.