10-03 Volvos, Greece

Arrived in this port city at 8 a.m. and took the 8:15 a.m. all day tour to see the Meteora Monasteries.  It was a two hour drive from Volvos, so our guide gave us lots of info about Greece and its people and customs on the way.

This area in Greece is called Thessaly.  It is the home of two big mountains – Pt. Pelion and Mt. Olympus (the home of the ancient Greek gods.)  It is also known as the area of Jason and the Argonauts who went in search of the Golden Fleece, which would make its wearer invincible. 

Some quick facts:  Greece is 98% Christian Orthodox.  Children can take baptism as soon as baptised.  Priests can be married, but must be married before becoming a priest.  If they become a widower, they cannot remarry.  Bishops are the only ones who can’t get married.

Typical Greek breakfast is a cup of coffee and a cigarette.  They don’t eat much meat, mainly fruits and veggies.  Always eat bread with lunch.  Always a Greek salad with tomatoes, cucumbers, olives, and Feta cheese.

Greeks marry later in life – in 30s.  Weddings are a huge deal.  After the wedding, the mother-in-law greets the new bride with a spoon of honey to establish a sweet relationship.  Children are named after their grandparents.  They are not called by their given names until after they are baptized.  They are baptized like Jesus, with the whole body dipped in the water.  Greeks tend to live long lives, and after death all family and friends come to pray for the soul and discuss memories of that person.  Next day they are buried.  Black is worn one year (for the loss of a parent) or three years (for death of spouse.)

Greek economics:  it is a very corrupt country; part of European Union.  When it went to the Euro in 2001, prices went up 200 – 300%, but wages didn’t change.  That is one reason that there is a crisis today and citizens not satisfied with their government.  Taxes, etc. that are supposed to go for improvements end up in politicians’ pockets instead.

After the two hour bus ride, the huge granite rocks known as Meteora came into view.  Meteora means between heaven and earth.

  In the 10th century monks came here to pursue undistracted contemplation and religiouis study.  That is why these monasteries were built at the top of these huge rock formations.  There used to be 24, but only 6 are used today – 4 male monasteries and 2 nunneries for women.  In 1989  UNESCO designated Meteora as a “unique phenomenon of cultural heritage.”   It is a breathtaking site to see these rock formations and then the monasteries on top!

The first monastery we visited was the nunnery of St. Stephen. 

Our bus took us up the hill to it, so it was easy to get to.  What an amazing view from here!  You can see the vast plain of Thessaly and the town of Kalambaka below. 

 

 

 

 

I had to wear a skirt to go inside.  Slacks not allowed for women.  In 1943 the church was bombed, so had to be renovated, so the frescoes looked fresh.  The dining room has been turned into a museum exhibiting manuscripts, post-Byzantine icons, gold embroidered vestments, ornate silverware, etc.  Our guide explained how a typical Greek Orthodox church is laid out.  She showed us a songbook which was most interesting to see the Greek words above the Greek music symbols – not at all like the ones we use.  The garden area around the buildings were also well tended and pretty.  This monastery has distinguished itself for its considerable help toward the National struggles through Greek education and culture. 

The second nunnery we visited was the Monastery of Roussanou (St. Barbara.)

To get to this one was a bit more difficult.  We took a path through a beautiful forested area, and then steps up a steep rock to the monastery.  This was established in 1529 and dedicated to the Transfiguration of the Savior.  We saw beautiful old frescoes covering the walls – and amazing what good shape they are in given how old they are.  Again, the most amazing part of visiting these monasteries was the view from the top!

We did not visit Agia Triada, but it is where  the James Bond movie, “For Your Eyes Only” was filmed. 

The largest and most important is the Great Meteoron, which was once only accessible via a series of rickety ladders, but now 115 jagged stairs have been carved into the hillside.  

 

We made our way down by bus to have lunch in the town of Kalambaka below.  It was a typical Greek lunch with salad and roasted lamb.  Dessert was a cake soaked in honey – very sweet.

Two hours back to the ship.  Met Craig and Makena from San Clemente, CA and had a wonderful time with them at dinner – the start of new friendship.