We may bounce around a bit over the next couple of weeks, as I am not going to be posting in the order things happened. Instead, I’m going to be trying to pick up the stories I have not yet told and or am still trying to process.
The Monastery of the Theotokos Kallipetra falls into both categories. My friend (and Sub-Deacon) Randy had — for him — strongly recommended I go there. It’s outside Veria (another topic/site we will be exploring some more) and it is, in fact, a work in progress. The monks there were murdered back 1908 and it was abandoned for decades. Locals still snuck down to the site to lite candles and pray, and there is (I’m told) still a foot trail from a nearby village. Local legends talk of hearing monks chanting in the church there while it was deserted.
A group of monks returned and are working to restore the site and are doing some amazing work. The locals, monks, and pilgrims even raised funds to pave the road to the monastery. Read the first picture for more details.
I enjoyed meeting the monks, especially the Abbot Father Palamas. He was the first priest I met on this trip who seemed to know more about me that I had shared. Then again, I had been told that might be the case as I am not the first to experience that. During our talk, he invited me to come back for a longer stay — and I would very much like to do that. I would also like to help as much as I can with the work they are doing.
Father Palamas was kind enough to let me stay for evening services and to enter the under-construction/restoration church, where I had the opportunity — among several — to venerate a relic of the Apostle Paul. My visit there was powerful and moving in several ways, and as I said above, I would love to go back for a longer visit as soon as I can.
If you would like to help me with this trip, seminary courses, and more, feel free to hit the fundraiser at A New Life on GiveSendGo, use the options in the Tip Jar in the upper right, or drop me a line to discuss other methods. I’ve added Cash App ($CliffPow7) and Venmo (@Clifford-Powers-5). There is also the Amazon Wish List in the Bard’s Jar. Getting hit by lightning is not fun! It is thanks to your gifts and prayers that I am still going. Thank you.