14th -22nd May 2025

FOR ME, TO LIVE IS CHRIST

Led by Fr Matt Blake, OCD and Fr Kelvin Ekhoegbe, OCD

A pilgrimage through the Land of the Pauline Gospel in the company of St Paul, the great apostle of the Gentiles, travelling to many of the places where he lived and preached the Gospel of Jesus Christ. 

DAY FOUR

Journey to Meteora and the Legacy of Paul’s Letters

Today, our pilgrimage took us from the bustling city of Thessaloniki to the breathtaking rock formations of Meteora, a place known not just for its stunning natural beauty, but for its ancient monasteries that stand as silent witnesses to centuries of Christian devotion.

Our day began early, with Mass at 7 a.m., followed by a hearty breakfast before we boarded the bus at 8:15 a.m. for the two to three-hour journey south toward Thessaly. As we settled in for the drive, we joined Father Liam in morning prayers and songs of praise, filling the bus with a spirit of gratitude and anticipation.

As we traveled through the rugged Greek countryside, Father Matthew Blake gave a thought-provoking talk about Paul’s writings in Greece, focusing particularly on his letter to the Romans. Unlike his other letters, which were written to churches he had personally founded, the letter to the Romans stands out as Paul’s major theological statement—a comprehensive explanation of his understanding of the Christian faith.

Father Blake reminded us that Paul wrote this letter to a community he had not yet visited, hoping to lay a theological foundation before his eventual journey to Rome. The letter is a powerful declaration of the unity of the Church, emphasizing that whether one is Jew or Gentile, rich or poor, all are called to live by the Holy Spirit and share in the same spiritual unity. Paul’s vision of the Church as a single body, united by faith and love, is a theme that runs throughout his writings and remains a cornerstone of Christian theology today.

As the road wound beneath the shadow of Mount Olympus, we made a brief stop for coffee and snacks, stretching our legs before continuing on toward Meteora. The towering cliffs of Meteora soon came into view, their sheer rock faces rising dramatically from the plains below, crowned with monasteries that seem to cling impossibly to the very edge of the sky.

Our first stop was the Holy Monastery of St. Stephen, a serene and beautifully preserved convent known for its stunning views and quiet, reflective atmosphere. Here, we wandered through the peaceful courtyards, pausing to admire the intricate Byzantine frescoes that adorn the chapel walls, each one a vibrant testament to the faith of the early monks and nuns who once lived here. We also saw the simple yet powerful wooden semantron—a carved plank used to call the sisters to prayer, its rhythmic echoes a reminder of the timeless rhythms of monastic life. The monastery also houses a fascinating collection of religious artifacts, including ancient manuscripts, embroidered vestments, and silver chalices used in the Divine Liturgy.

Our second visit was to the Varlaam Monastery, dramatically perched on the edge of a towering rock pillar and accessible only by a steep climb and narrow bridge. Here, we marveled at the ancient rope nets and pulleys once used by the monks to haul supplies—and sometimes themselves—up the sheer cliffs, a powerful symbol of their determination and faith. Inside, we explored the main church, with its richly painted dome depicting the Pantokrator (Christ the Almighty) and walls covered in vivid frescoes that tell the story of the saints and martyrs who shaped the Orthodox faith. We also visited the small museum, which holds a collection of rare icons, handwritten manuscripts, and ceremonial objects that offer a glimpse into the spiritual life of this remote monastic community.

DAY FIVE

From the Mountains of St. Luke to the Ancient Streets of Athens

Today, our pilgrimage took us from the dramatic rock formations of Meteora to the bustling heart of Athens, with a deeply moving stop at the Monastery of Hosios Loukas, one of the finest examples of Byzantine architecture in Greece.

Our day began early, with Mass at 7 a.m., followed by breakfast before we boarded the bus for a 2.5-hour journey south. As we settled in, Father Liam led us in morning prayer and praise, encouraging us to bring our challenges to God in prayer, reminding us that even the most difficult struggles can become the substance of our spiritual life. “That’s the secret to Christian life,” he reminded us, a call to transform every trial into an offering of faith.

As the bus wound through the green valleys and rugged hills of central Greece, Father Matthew Blake offered another reflection, this time on Paul’s mission to Athens, a pivotal moment in the spread of Christianity. Father Blake spoke about the complexity of Paul’s task as he entered this intellectual and cultural center of the ancient world. Unlike in the synagogues, where he could rely on a shared understanding of the Jewish scriptures, in Athens Paul had to reach out to a highly educated, philosophically minded audience steeped in pagan traditions.

Reading from Acts 17, Father Blake reminded us that Paul, standing in the shadow of the Parthenon, spoke to the Athenians in their own philosophical language, invoking their poets and philosophers as he proclaimed the “unknown God” they had long sought but not yet known. Paul’s bold proclamation on the Areopagus—a message of a God who holds all nations in his hands and who has now revealed himself in Jesus—was a radical challenge to the intellectual elite of his time. It marked a critical moment in the history of Christianity, as the Gospel reached one of the great cultural capitals of the ancient world, laying the groundwork for its eventual spread across the Roman Empire.

As we continued south, we passed through the narrow pass of Thermopylae, the site of the famous battle where 300 Spartans, along with their Thespian allies, made a legendary stand against the Persian army. Our guide recounted the bravery and sacrifice of these warriors, reminding us that the spirit of courage and conviction has always been central to the human story, from ancient Sparta to the early Christian martyrs.

We also passed the slopes of Mount Parnassus, the mythical home of the Muses, and caught a distant glimpse of the towering peaks that house the ancient sanctuary of Delphi, once considered the center of the world in Greek mythology and a place where kings and generals sought divine guidance before great battles.

Our main stop for the morning was the Monastery of Hosios Loukas, a stunning example of Byzantine architecture nestled in the hills of central Greece. The monastery, founded in the 10th century, is a place of profound beauty and spiritual depth, known for its exquisite mosaics and beautifully preserved frescoes. We wandered through the cool, incense-scented halls, pausing before the golden icons that line the walls, their ancient faces seeming to gaze back at us with a timeless, knowing serenity. The intricate patterns of the marble floors and the rich, golden light streaming through the small windows created an atmosphere of deep peace and contemplation—a welcome respite after the long journey.

After a simple but satisfying lunch nearby, we continued our journey to Athens, another two hours on the road. As the bus rolled on, Father Liam led us in another round of prayer and praise, lifting our spirits as we approached the heart of the ancient world.

We arrived in Athens in the late afternoon, just as the sun was casting a warm glow over the city’s ancient stones and bustling streets. After checking into our hotel, we gathered for dinner, reflecting on the day’s journey and the powerful reminders of faith and perseverance we had encountered along the way.

DAY SIX

Walking Through the Acts of the Apostles in the Heart of Athens

Today brought us to one of the most spiritually significant points in our journey: the city of Athens, where Saint Paul once stood and proclaimed the Gospel amid the intellectual heart of the ancient world. The layers of history, faith, and philosophy met us at every step as we walked the very ground where Acts 17 unfolds.

Our morning began with a joyful breakfast, followed by a deeply moving Mass celebrated by Father Liam at St. Joseph’s Chapel in Athens. Father Liam’s homily invited us to enter into the immediacy of being in Athens—not just as tourists or observers, but as pilgrims walking in the footsteps of Saint Paul.

He reminded us that Fr. Matt had already prepared us to appreciate the complexity of Paul’s mission in this city. In his homily, Father Liam reflected on how Paul walked the streets of the marketplace, engaging with philosophers, wise men, and religious seekers to understand their vision of life. With bold creativity, Paul drew their attention to a monument inscribed “To an Unknown God” and proclaimed: “That is the God I preach.” In this very place, Paul invited them—and now us—to open ourselves to the Risen Lord. Father Liam spoke of how, as we walk the same ground, we are also invited to respond from the deepest places within us and begin to live a full life in the Risen Christ.

His homily connected our experience in Athens with the iconography we encountered in the monasteries earlier in the week. He recalled the powerful imagery of Christ the Risen Lord astride the chasm of death, pulling enslaved humanity from darkness into light. He provided us an opportunity to pause in silence and allow the living power of the Risen Lord to fill us with new life, energy, and a love that brings peace to our hearts and to humanity.

After Mass, we made our way to the Acropolis, where we took in the majestic sight of the Parthenon, rising above the city like a crown. While we could not access Mars Hill (Areopagus) due to ongoing construction, we stood nearby, reflecting on the gravity of that site—where Paul proclaimed the Gospel not with proofs, but with presence and power.

We then walked further downhill to the Agora, the ancient Athenian marketplace. Among the ruins, we gathered in a shaded spot near one of the restored stoas and opened our Bibles. Taking turns, we read aloud from Acts 17, verse by verse. It was a profoundly moving experience—proclaiming the very words of scripture in the place where they first unfolded. The text came alive with weight and wonder. For many of us, it was one of the most touching moments of the pilgrimage thus far.

After our reading, we enjoyed a group lunch at a nearby restaurant. The afternoon was left free for personal exploration—some wandered the streets of Plaka, others visited churches or rested under the warm Athenian sun. It was a fitting pause in our journey, allowing the weight of the morning’s experiences to settle in our hearts.

In this city where Paul spoke boldly of the “unknown God,” we too were invited to encounter the living Christ, who knows us fully and calls us by name.