The Acropolis

 

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Athens & the Acropolis

Today we visited the Acropolis - the Parthenon an amazing site, but right next to it is the Areopagus the place where St Paul gave his inspired speech to the Athenian counsel.strolled the markets and now lunch in the Byzantino Taverna

 

View from the Acropolis.

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View from Abu Dhabi airport

 

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Abu Dhabi!

14 hours in cattle class with a screaming baby in the row in front ( heard a good tip, always ask whether there's any chance of an upgrade! Would have loved one!). At least i had a window seat. the landscape around Abu Dhabi was incredible - sand, brown, yellow and flat! Watched about 6 movies, slept for maybe 30 mins so by the time we reached the terminal here all I wanted to do was brush my teeth and buy a decent coffee (14 Dirhams)

Now we're just sitting and waiting for our connecting flight to Athens. I'm told that it's a 'smaller' plane (hopefully not a Fokker Friendship)

Next time Athens!!

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2 hours to Go!

Well I'm now at the airport at I know that I'm really about to go! Parking at the airport is like driving in a labyrinth - turn, turn, up, up, remember that you're in the yellow A5 - glad that I'll be exiting a different way. Sitting now in front of the movator watching people heading off to their departure gates. Just saw a bunch of my colleagues heading up. Farewell to my family, I know I'll miss them terribly and they'll miss me but this is a really special time for me.

In about 90 mins I'll be off and then next stop Abu Dhabi and then finally Athens where it'll all begin!

 

Shalom

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The last sleep before I leave

Well it's now down to the last sleep here before I leave. The last few days have been frenetic - sourcing, buying, thinking, packing, thinking have I got everything. The reality of actually beginning the pilgrimage no longer seems a distant dream. Leaving my family behind is a little daunting but I know that they'll be fine. I wonder whether St Paul felt a little anxious before he began his journeys? I'm sure that he even though he trusted in the Lord, he would still get a few butterflies. The thought of leaving everything behind is actually comforting. The idea that this pilgrimage will be a retreat sits well with me. Although I've done the odd retreat, I can't say that I've done a pilgrimage. I hope to sleep well and be ready, open and willing.

We fly out tomorrow - 9:50pm - probably a good time to sleep on the trip. 14 hours later should bring us to Abu Dhabi for a stop over and then it's Athens!

My Pilgrimage

Welcome to my pilgrimage!

Although this is a personal journey, I'd love you to follow me.

Departing 28th September, this will be an exciting opportunity to deepen my spiritual growth as I traverse the ancient paths of St Paul and unearth the origins and emerging faith of the first Christian communities.

My pilgrimage, led by  Bishop Anthony Fisher OP,  will engage us in deep prayer, personal spiritual discovery and opportunities to visit significant sacred places with people who wanted to pray and reflect. Pilgrimages are not just holidays, they are rich in insights and discoveries, journeys with God and with friends discovering and rejoicing in God’s blessings.

Going on pilgrimage is an authentic and rich part of Christian tradition and our pilgrimage will start in Athens, where St Paul and his companions established the first Christian communities throughout his four missionary journeys.

We will then also be journeying to Corinth, Mystras, Patmos, Miletus,Kusadasi, Ephesus - the most famous of the Seven Churches of Revelation (Rev 2:1-7), Paamukkale, Laodicea, Sardis, Izmir, Thyatira, Pergamum,Assos, Alexander Troas, Canakkale, Gallipoli and finally Istanbul.

God Bless,

Attila