Day 8: Thessaloniki

Today we have the privilege of exploring our guide, Elie’s, home city. As we drive through the city, our local guide, Athena, explains its history and significant landmarks. Thessaloniki has a population of 1.5 million, similar to Calgary, but was founded 2300 years ago in the 4th century by Cassander of Macedon, unlike Calgary which was founded not even 150 years ago. Cassander named it after his wife Thessalonike, daughter of Philip II of Macedon and sister of Alexander the Great. In Greek, this name translates to victory (nike) over the Thessalians. 

The Roman Road connected Phillipi to Thessaloniki and is the way Paul would have traveled on his second missionary journey as recorded in Acts 16. Athena also explains that the early church was very different from today. It was essentially groups of people who would have communal dinners together, called agape feasts. 

We also learn about the Jewish history of the city. Of the 53,000 Jews who were deported to concentration camps in Poland from Thessaloniki, 49,000 never came back. Also, when Greece was under Nazi occupation, the Nazi’s desecrated and destroyed the Jewish cemetery. Today, there stands a memorial monument to the Jewish people in the center of the city. 

We travel to the city's acropolis (its highest point) which in Thessaloniki is a fortress from the Byzantine Era. Next, we visit a monastery that tradition says is where Jason’s house was. In Acts 17 his house in Thessalonica was used as a refuge by the apostles Paul, Silas, and Timothy. Some Thessalonian Jews were annoyed with Paul's remarks in the synagogue and not finding him and Silas, hauled Jason before the city authorities, where he was fined and released. We also visited St. Demetrius church which has a complex history. This same church has been used as a bathhouse, a crypt, a place to hold Christian prisoners, a mosque during the Ottoman Empire, and at one time according to tradition, contained a fountain of holy water. 

The most charming part of the city is the 11km promenade along the seaside. The White Tower stands on the seaside, a building that was once used as a fortification but later was used as a platform from which to execute prisoners. We walk up to the top of the tower to see the scenic views. It is also along this seawall that the synagogue where Paul reasoned with the Jews would have been. Next we visit Thessaloniki’s agora (marketplace) which is the place Paul would have sought to preach to the Gentiles. 

Before spending the rest of the day exploring the city in small groups, Elie brings her husband and puppy for us to meet. The students spend time petting Jasper, pronounced with a "y" sound and taking pictures of him. The students point out that dog owners often bear a resemblance to their dogs, and Elie is no exception. We separate into groups and eat lunch, shop, and walk along the promenade. We gather together before dinner and sit near the seaside. There are many schools of fish that swim by as birds nosedive into the sea for dinner. Next, we head to dinner ourselves at a restaurant, enjoying each other's company around another delicious Greek meal. 

I must take a moment to commend our bus driver, Yanis (a different Yanis than Elie’s husband!). He had to drive a massive bus through narrow streets with aggressive drivers all around and did a fantastic job. He kept us safe as we traveled through Greece and we appreciate him! 

Before bed, we have some time to debrief about our trip as a group. Students share their “take-aways” and it is a powerful time of connection and reflection. The students speak with meaning and insight. We tell them that at some point this week, they need to tell their parents what this experience has meant to them and why. 

At the end, the leaders take some time to commend this amazing group of students. Elie, our tour guide, jumps at the opportunity. She tells the students that everywhere we went, they were praised: by the hotels, the local guides, and the restaurants. She says, “we rarely get a group that is so good and so interested in what we have to say. Thank you for sharing this week with me”. Mrs. Cathcart says that these students are the “blessing of her life” and she is so thankful that they shared their authentic humor, laughter, and personalities this week. Mr. Hartley shares that as society, they sit in their offices and make decisions and pray for these kinds of trips. It was amazing to go on this journey with them. Mrs. Webb says that she loves each one of the students and thanks them for their kindness, respect, timeliness and for sharing the week with her. Mrs. Kooiker shared that it was very special to witness some of the babies she taught in kindergarten as young adults and got to know the students she didn’t have the pleasure of teaching. She says, “I said this in Meteora, but you all are salt and light to those around you”. Grover ends with, “I love you guys”. There are some tears and some hugs and a lot of thank-yous before we disperse to pack our bags for tomorrow morning.