THE GREEKS PROBABLY HAVE A WORD FOR I.T.

But they don't appear to have access to it, at least not in the hotels used by our peerless Parish pilgrims.  So last week we were unable to satisfy the raging demand which swept through our little community for news of their progress along the paths trodden by St Paul almost two thousand years ago.    But now our travellers are home and all is forgiven, for they have brought with them these splendid photos taken by Cathy and Tony, with Cathy's commentary:

Day 1 - Our guide Maria tells us about Paul and Silas' visit to Philippi where they were imprisoned by the Roman authorities for preaching the Word of God to the Jewish people.  We also visited the River Kygaktis where St Paul baptized Lydia, the first Christian in Europe (Acts: 16)

Day 2 - We visit a modern mosaic in Beria commemorating  St Paul's visit to this town after his escape from Thessaloniki (Acts: 17)

Our group photo includes (left to right) Agnes, Paul, Tony, Cathy, Lily, Neil, Paul, Fr Peter, Patricia, Dolores, Nick, Mary, Eileen, Sean, Frankie, Molly and Jo.

 Day 3 took us to Kalambaka to visit the extraordinary Orthodox Meteora Monasteries perched high on the cliffs.  The monasteries date back to the 14th Century.

 Day 5 - We travelled further south to visit the Temple of Apollo at Delphi.  Here are Patricia and Neil in front of the wonderfully preserved amphitheatre.

Day 6 took us to Athens.  It was here beneath the Acropolis where St Paul , despondent by how full the city was of idols, preached his famous 'Men of Athens' sermon (Acts 17)

No visit to Athens would be complete  without a visit to the magnificent Parthenon temple dedicated to Athena, after whom the city is named.

Day 7 took us to Corinth where St Paul sailed from to Syria and then Ephesus (Acts 18).  Mary has just finished reading St Paul's letter to the people of Corinth on Love which was a fitting end to our Pilgrimage.

Cheers!