ヨーロッパの教会から

Thessaloniki in Greece is famous for the place where apostle Paulo was directly engaged in the mission work of Christianity, as Epislte to the Tessalonians in the New Testament. Near Agios Dimitrios Church, there is a Roman agora (a market in ancient Rome) ruins where Paulo would have preached. Agios Dimitrios Church is a Greek Orthodox Church built in the 11th century,and is specified as one of the world's heritages. The Greek Orthodox Church remaining from the old days is characterized by the red brick walls and the chapel interior decorated with icons.

The Apocalypse is a volume which decorates the last of the New Testament. It is a prophecy volume in which happenings in the future in this world was written down. The Patmos island is a solitary island floating on the Aegean Sea, which was the penal settlement of apostle John in his last years. Apostle John wrote down the Apocalypse in this island.

The chalky church is lofty on the top of the island. I felt an illusion as slipped into a different space where time stopped. I paused to be charmed by the scene for a while. White and blue represent the color of the Greek national flag. The inside of the Greek Orthodox Church which is charactreized by the blue dome and a symbol on the island, is the world of Hellenism decorated by fresco over all. An officiant in a white clothing prayed alone in the silent space.

Piraeus harbor near Athens is the first landing point where Paulo and his party came for a mission traveling in Greece. Piraeus harbor is situated in 10-kilometers southwest from Athens, and at present, it is crowded with peaople as a point of departure and arrival for the Aegean Sea cruise. The old Greek Orthodox Church near a pier where luxury ocean liners of various colors come alongside. It is characterized by the firm outward appearance built of blicks.