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February 6-7, 2003
Corinth and Mycenae
Our trip to Corinth started and ended with beautiful skies, but as we traveled, it became cold and wet. Somehow, I still managed to learn and have a great time. The first site of interest we saw were the straights between mainland Greece and the Island of Salamis where the Greeks routed the Persians in a naval battle. The battle took place in 480 B.C. and could probably be the beginning point of the Athenian Empire. Themistacles received a prophesy from the Pythia saying that wooden walls would save Athens. He took this to mean that they should use their ships against the Persians. It worked for him. Without this important victory, democracy in Athens may not have developed to the point that it did. We might not even have it in the western world today.
Shortly after we made a stop at the Corinth Canal. The bridge looked stands around 250 ft above the water, which is only 26 ft deep. Although Nero and other Roman emperors envisioned and even attempted this great project, it was abandoned. The 4-mile stretch was too much. In 1881, a French company began the work to complete the canal and Greek companies took over after a few years. The project was completed in 1893, connecting the Bay of Corinth to the Aegean Sea.
The city of Corinth had 2 ports—one in the Bay of Corinth and one on the Aegean Sea. The main port is in Lechaion and the other is in Cenchrea. According to Acts 18, Paul spent a year and a half in this area during his second missionary journey. Evidence still remains of the work Paul accomplished. In this area there are 12 ancient basilicas. We visited the remains of the largest basilica, which is right on the Bay of Corinth at the Port of Lechaion. The presence of over 5,000 Christians in the 5th century at this one basilica is a testimony to the work of one man who had God working through him. We were able to see some very interesting things in the remains of this basilica. First, there was a huge baptistery. It apparently consisted of several rooms. Also, at the front of the church, you could see the remains of a pagan temple that had been buried beneath where the Lord’s Table was. And around that, there was a bench that was raised from the level of the rest of the church. This was where the elders sat, showing us that heresy was present at that time, although heresy has always been present in the church. Being seated on a higher level was a way of saying you were closer to God.
Cenchrea is the minor port city of ancient Corinth. This place is mentioned at least twice in scripture. It is the place Paul sailed from as he headed home on his second missionary journey. Before leaving, Luke records in Acts 18:18 that Paul shaved his head because of a vow he had taken. We do not know what vow he had completed. It was something personal. When we arrived at Cenchrea, the sun was finally out. The wind was still a little gusty, but we were able to sit down in the remains of a Christian basilica and have a devotional. Part of the basilica is under water now because the sea level has risen, but we were able to stand on parts of it. The bay there was beautiful! Almost want to take some vow that I would complete as I leave from Greece. Then on my way out of Greece, I could stop back by and shave my head at Cenchrea. Or maybe something else…shaving my head does not sound too appealing for completing a vow. Maybe I’ll eat ice cream. That would be nice.
The archaeological site of ancient Corinth was filled with many interesting things. In the theater, we were able to see the stone with Erastus’ name (Romans 16:23) on it. He was the director of public works of Corinth who was converted to Christianity. He had paid for the paving of a certain section of the theater with his own money as the stone indicates. Because Erastus is not a common name and both Romans and the stone in Corinth indicate his position in the city government, we can be nearly 100% sure that they are the same people. We also were able to see Sosthenes name in a stone. This could be the same Sosthenes mentioned in Acts 18:17 and 1 Corinthians 1:1, but this name is more common and would be nearly impossible to verify. The site also contains a Roman Odeum, a temple to the god Apollo, the remains of the Corinthian forum, and a road that led into the city. In the forum, we were able to see the Bema and the stone where Paul was chained when the Jews brought him before Gallio. This is recorded in Acts 18:12-17. Gallio released Paul, as the matter had nothing to do with Roman law. Though it was raining when during most of our tour, the rain stopped just long enough to have a devotional at the Bema. God has great timing!
The Acrocorinth sits in the background of the ancient site. As we were headed toward the base of it in our bus, a huge cloud blew around the mountain so our view of the world below was not completely clear. It was still great though. There is a Venetian Castle from the 17th century on the top. We were able to climb around on top. Many of us would like to go back on a free day.
The Epidarium is the best-preserved theater in all of Greece and is still used today. It was built in around the 5th Century BC. When we arrived it was snowing, but we still made the best of our time there. In the very center of the stage area, you can speak and be heard at the same volume level whether you are sitting on the front row or the top row. The acoustics of this outdoor theater were absolutely amazing. So what did we choose to do special at this site? We sang the national anthem! That was fun. I have a video if you’d like to see it.
The ruins of Mycenae date from the 13th Century BC. The amount of rock still standing upon this rocky hill is incredible. The fortress was home to King Agamemnon (if he ever lived). The entrance still has the famous Lions Gate up. It sits on top of a 20-ton stone. Around the backside of the fortress, we were able to climb down into a syringe which is a tunnel leading to the well. I was a little disappointed when I got to the bottom, but it was interesting climb to the bottom.
This was our first overnight trip for our time in Greece. The sites, especially those connected to the Bible, helped enrich the Biblical narrative. I found Corinth most interesting. We were able to walk in the very footsteps of Paul once again. The evidence of his work along with other disciples of Christ was still there and is still in the world today. That is why we are here, because we believe in the death burial and resurrection of Jesus just as Paul did.
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