I’ve got a lot to share with you. First, however, I need to rest up a bit and do laundry and I really wish that was the order of things. Sadly, laundry comes first even though I am of somewhat mixed emotions about washing the dirt/dust from various holy caves and such out of one particular pair of pants. I’ve also got to download the boatload of photos and such from the phone. Tomorrow, I will be spending the day with my friends at the German Monastery of St. John of Rila. Start looking for new content on Monday and don’t be surprised if things jump around a bit despite my desire to take things in order. More soon my friends!
Pilgrimage: Back From Mt. Athos
lots to tell, lots of photos, more to come once I hook back up with my laptop. Beautiful weather right up to the end, when we had an interesting interlude that made me thankful for the poncho my Godmother gave me to bring. Traveling back to Sofia this morning. Lots more to come!
Pilgrimage: Mt. Athos
If all goes well, we leave in a couple of hours. Still dealing with issues but I’m told things are good. More when I can.
Pilgrimage: Veria (Veroia)
Yesterday, we left Thessaloniki and headed towards Veria (Veroia in Greek). On the way, we stopped and spent the morning at a monastery where I was given the chance to venerate three different relics and a miraculous icon. Then, we sat under what I think may be a local oak tree and had a good conversation with one of the nuns there.
Then, we went and checked into our hotel, is within the ancient Jewish quarter (up until WWII) . Next door to the hotel is a museum that was the synagogue. Current building is less than a thousand years old, but it was built on the site of the original, which is one of the spots where the Apostle Paul preached when he was here.
Then we went to visit another monastery that is in the process of being rebuilt. Long story for later, but had an amazing visit which ended not only that I was welcome anytime, but that the abbot suggested I should look at coming back for an extended stay. Lots to process but thinking that is a very good idea. Also, was allowed to venerate a relic of the Apostle Paul while there.
More soon once I have WiFi again.
Pilgrimage: Thessaloniki Day 2
There will be a much longer post at some point, but getting this up while I have WiFi. Leave this morning for a visit a friend recommended, the same friend who arranged the guide/mentor I’m now enjoying. He took me to some amazing places yesterday, several monasteries and churches I would not have found without him. We did not walk the entire perimeter of the ancient walls, but we hit major points on each.
The very first place we went was on one of the highest points in the city. The church in the monastery there has what is now a chapel, but is believed to be one of the earliest churches in Thessaloniki. One where the Apostle Paul preached. And that was just the start of the day. More to come.
Pilgrimage: Arrived Thessaloniki
I arrived yesterday about one in the afternoon via bus. The difference between bus travel in the US and here is amazing. Even with a child getting motion sickness behind me, a much better experience. Slight delay at the border, but wasn’t because of me so it will wait for the full report.
The Greeks don’t seem to mind if you photograph, so have a couple to share. As it happened, the prime Church on my list was just a mile from the hotel, so walked there and got to “meet” St. Gregory Palamas. At another Church got to “meet” St. Basil the Confessor; and the Saints Sophia, Faith, Hope, and Love — who have become a large part of this trip.
more soon. Lots more photos and tales to share in the days ahead.
Pilgrimage: General Update
I’ve got more to get posted, but life is being interesting. I get to take the final for my seminary course here in a few hours, and will be tied up with that even as I am trying to finalize all the plans related to Mount Athos. I also had to pay the rest of what was due on tuition and such, so feel free to hit the tip jar.
Just an FYI, I may not be posting much while on the Mount Athos portion of the trip. I know there is some access there as one of the students in the theology course joined the weekly Q&A from there, but it was interesting for him to get and maintain signal. Between that and my concerns over being protective of my laptop (I will be walking a lot, which means a chance of a fall again), I’m thinking I’m not going to take it. Right now, viewing packing the pack with a great deal of ‘do I really need to take and carry that’ in my eye.
There is more to post, and I hope to get to it soon. Meantime, please think kind thoughts for me and the final exam. Thanks!
If you would like to help me with this trip, seminary courses, and more, feel free to hit the fundraiser at A New Life on GiveSendGo, use the options in the Tip Jar in the upper right, or drop me a line to discuss other methods. I’ve added Cash App ($CliffPow7) and Venmo (@Clifford-Powers-5). There is also the Amazon Wish List in the Bard’s Jar. Getting hit by lightning is not fun! It is thanks to your gifts and prayers that I am still going. Thank you.
Pilgrimage: Bulgarian Rakia Tasting
Sorry for the delay, but this one took a while as I had to upgrade my YouTube channel to get it to post. Not a big deal, but it took time. Once again, I offer the knowledgeable and experienced Alexander of Coupage Wines in Sofia to talk about Bulgarian traditional brandy, know as rakia. A very tasty subject, and I hope you enjoy it. Again, while my videography improved there is still room for yet more improvement.
I hope you enjoy it. If you are in Sofia, I highly recommend his tastings!
If you would like to help me with this trip, seminary courses, and more, feel free to hit the fundraiser at A New Life on GiveSendGo, use the options in the Tip Jar in the upper right, or drop me a line to discuss other methods. I’ve added Cash App ($CliffPow7) and Venmo (@Clifford-Powers-5). There is also the Amazon Wish List in the Bard’s Jar. Getting hit by lightning is not fun! It is thanks to your gifts and prayers that I am still going. Thank you.
Pilgrimage: Water & Other Delights
When one travels the world, smart people learn to ask in advance about the water. There are any number of countries or locations where I would not hesitate to drink the tap water. There are any number of countries or locations where one should not use the water even to rinse your toothbrush. Those places one needs to only drink and use bottled water, and leave immediately any restaurant that brings you your bottles already opened.
I’m glad to say that Sofia is one of those places where you can drink the tap water. In fact, I talked with a local journalist who told me of a series they had done, where they tested the water in multiple locations over the course of a year, and the results showed it to be some of the best in Europe. I’ve also been told by others that Plovdiv is also good to drink, but to be careful otherwise.
I do see a lot of bottled water sold here in town, and have also been told that a lot of people use water bottles that filter or treat water when they travel outside of Sofia. Meantime, I am reusing some of my store-bought water bottles for the tap water since I am cheap and it tastes as good or better than the store-bought. Other than some spring water in Rila, the tap water is pretty much all I’ve been drinking.
I do have the prescription emergency plug pills just in case, but don’t think they will be needed for the water. Other things, perhaps, but not the water. It’s nice not having to worry about the water on a general basis.
I should also note that Bulgaria is known for it’s many mineral waters. Some are for drinking, while others are recommended for bathing to treat various issues. People have been traveling to some of these locations for a couple of thousand years now for those waters. Keep in mind one reason that the Romans made Serdika their capital for the region was for the hot springs and waters.
More soon, have a video that is uploading of the rakia tasting. My videography did improve, but still not quite where it needs to be. The host, however, is fantastic and very knowledgeable. Once it uploads, will get a post up with it embedded. The last few days have mostly been spent inside, as it was/is cold and rainy, and I’ve also been having to deal with issues including the upcoming trip to Mount Athos.
If you would like to help me with this trip, seminary courses, and more, feel free to hit the fundraiser at A New Life on GiveSendGo, use the options in the Tip Jar in the upper right, or drop me a line to discuss other methods. I’ve added Cash App ($CliffPow7) and Venmo (@Clifford-Powers-5). There is also the Amazon Wish List in the Bard’s Jar. Getting hit by lightning is not fun! It is thanks to your gifts and prayers that I am still going. Thank you.
Pilgrimage: St. John In Sofia
In my previous post, I mentioned that St. John of Rila (St. Ivan Rilski) had spent some time in the area outside of what is now Sofia, which was known before that as Serdika. I also mentioned in this post that the nice young lady who did my second cooking lesson had a relative who was an abbot at a monastery just outside Sofia.
On my way back from Rila, she contacted me and let me know that she had spoken with him, and that while he does not speak English others who attend church at the monastery did, and that I was welcome to attend. One thing I didn’t mention is that the monastery is the German Monastery of Saint John of Rila. It is in fact on the site (or very near) where Saint John had his hut before he fled to Rila. Again, this seems to be an emerging theme of this trip.
So, Sunday morning I went to attend church at the monastery. There was one misadventure getting there (my fault), but get there I did and I really enjoyed the service. Afterwards, I was invited to join the members for the post-Liturgy meal, got to meet several of them, and they also got to know me.
It was a wonderful time, with much laughter and joking. I was told that since I had stayed in Bulgaria more than a week I was not allowed to leave. One person even offered me the contact info for his real estate person. I was then offered a ride to the closest subway station, given food to take home with me, and was on my way.
This week, I’ve already gotten a couple of calls and the short version is that I will be picked up at the subway station so I can join them again. I am very much looking forward to it, and my thought is that I will make this my regular Sunday church here. Still plan to attend weekday liturgies at a couple of churches close to me, but know where I will be spending my Sundays.
Onwards.
If you would like to help me with this trip, seminary courses, and more, feel free to hit the fundraiser at A New Life on GiveSendGo, use the options in the Tip Jar in the upper right, or drop me a line to discuss other methods. I’ve added Cash App ($CliffPow7) and Venmo (@Clifford-Powers-5). There is also the Amazon Wish List in the Bard’s Jar. Getting hit by lightning is not fun! It is thanks to your gifts and prayers that I am still going. Thank you.