Philippi, Amphipolis, and the 2,400 Year Old Wooden Bridge

Today we began at the Greek theatre of Philippi, a city named to honour the father of Alexander the Great. Here, too, the later Christian basillica stood, a huge Forum (agora) where commerce, businesses of all kind, and chit-chat, meetings, and just hanging out occupied the ancient Romans.

It was at Philippi that the Apostle  Paul found the wealthy businesswoman Lydia meeting for prayer alongside the cool of the river. So......we took a quick ride to the traditional site, a likely candidate as it was along a pathway dotted with ancient tombs and monuments that led to the small stream. We quenched our fantasmagorical thirst from the hot Grecian sun at a small shop next to a lovely Greek Orthodox church which is itself decorated with wonderful modern frescoes of all the saints of our Christian past. Sitting in the shade of a small baptismal area alongside the river, Pastor Glenn Ward read the passage in the Book of Acts retelling the first Christian converts in Europe and the establishment of the firsst church in Europe, likely in the household of Lydia.

A short drive farther west took us to Amphipolis, a huge ancient city that became a Christian pilgrimage site and therefore boasted several large Byzantine basilicas (churches). Here we marveled at the huge stones in the wall of the ancient town, and took a special side-trip (and hike in the hot sun!) down to excavations of a 4th century BC (yes, 2400 years old!) bridge that once crossed the river this huge city. Remains of thee wooden piles supporting the road were found in excavations. 

A little further on we encountered the restore Lion of Amphipolis, a COLOSSAL statue of the King of Beasts erected in honour of one of Alexander the Great's Generals.

Now in our hotel next to the sea, we will enjoy a cool evening, watch the sun set, and look forward to our 7:30 pm dinner....We pull out in the morning at 8AM for Thessalonika.