www.byzcath.org Forums General Discussions Town Hall Traveling to Greece

This summer, I am planning on traveling to Greece for a period of time. I would like to get around to some historical sites in Athens, enjoy some sunny beaches, and get my spiritual fix at some great churches, and maybe even go to Patmos.

I am in the germinal stage, as it were, of my trip planning and so still have many options about where to go and what to do. All I know is that at the end of my trip, I'm probably going to have to go get over to Italy (by boat). Probably Corfu to Brindisi or something like that.

I know that many on this Forum have traveled to Greece, and some are intimately familiar with it (hey, Alice!). I am writing this publicly to invite any and all people who would be so kind to take the time and private message me with any recommendations and tips about where to go and what to do.

So please, if anyone has anything to offer please don't hesitate to PM me, or submit a post here, if you wish.

I hope to make it a well-rounded and wholesome trip with a good mix of fun, general culture, and a nice glance into the spiritual life of Greece.

As a general note, I probably will not be traveling much north of Athens. So Thessaloniki is off limits!

Alexis

On the minus side, Greece can be unbearably hot during the summer.

On the plus side do not, I repeat, DO NOT miss our wonderful Holy Trinity Cathedral, 246 Odos Akharnon, Athens (take the Elektrikos to Ayios Nicholaos, walk a long block to Akharnon, cross the street, turn right, and there you are). Greek Divine Liturgy is at 9:30 AM on Sunday; there is also a Ukrainian Divine Liturgy and usually an Arabic Divine Liturgy. Father Athanasios speaks American English.

Be sure to visit the Byzantine Museum, and allow yourself ample time to get lost in the exhibits.

Browse in the church-goods shopping district in the area just south of the Greek Orthodox Cathedral west of Syntagma.

Check out Philokalia book and icon shop - check the phone book for the street address; it's in that same district. They speak English fairly well, and stock books in English.

The Kapnikarea Church, west of the Greek Orthodox cathedral, is beautiful with breath-taking frescoes. But you must be patient with the frescoes; look at them carefully and they will emerge from semi-darkness.

Father Athanasios can put you on to shops which sell remarkably inexpensive icon-prints, incense, and other things of interest. It's a bit tricky to find, but the "Agion Oros" shop near Omonia is definitely worth a visit (they do not speak English).

Speaking of incense, Father Eutychios at our cathedral sells incense by the kilo; the incense comes from the Holy Mountain.

Father Serge

Father Serge,

Thanks for all the useful information. I'm not sure how many trinkets I'll be buying, since I'll be traveling with my luggage on my person and don't want to load it down more than need be, but I'll certainly have to get something or other.

Alexis

Alexis it would be fun to stop in at one of the icon schools such as one taught by the monks from Athos. I understand there are many of them in Greece.