Day 4 – 16 June – Thessaloniki to Kabala
The night seemed to pass quickly. The dawn broke over the Aegean Sea once more, as it has done throughout the ages. We were showered, and joined the others promptly at 7am for another hearty breakfast on the front verandah of the Hotel, with sweeping views of the ocean. The sea was like a mirror as the warm sun shed its bright glow across this beautiful nation of Greece, and the seaside city of Thessaloniki. It was difficult to leave. The bags were collected at 8am, and we were boarding the bus promptly at 8:30am for another big day ahead.
We spent the morning discovering something of the history of this magnificent city of Thessaloniki. An important port city, it was founded by the Macedonian General Kassander following the successful campaigns against the Persians in 315BC. He named the city after his wife Thessalonike, the daughter of Philip II, and also half sister to Alexander the Great, whose magnificent statue we visited on the harbor front (see photos). Kassander also erected the massive wall around the city, which still stands in many parts, and which also we spent time visiting, exploring and gazing at the wonder of the city and harbor from the high parts of the remaining wall.
The Romans made the city a capital of the Roman Province of Macedonia. It became even more prominent since the completion of the now famous ‘Via Egnatia’, the ‘Egnation Way’, the Roman road that linked Rome with Asia, and ran through Thessaloniki, and also along which St Paul travelled on foot from Philippi. The city fell to the Ottoman Empire in 1430, became part of Greece in 1913, and partially destroyed by fire in 1917. Today it is a bustling, thriving community, the capital of the Province of Macedonia and second largest city in Greece.
It was to this city that St Paul and his companions arrived, having been imprisoned and released for his campaigning for the Gospel in Philippi (more about that tomorrow). Arriving at Thessaloniki, the Bible says in Acts 17, that he went straight to the Jewish synagogue, as was his custom, and spent many days ‘reasoning with them from the Scriptures, explaining and proving that the Messiah (Christ) had to suffer and to rise from the dead’. The Bible tells us that ‘some of the Jews were persuaded and joined Paul and Silas, as did a large number of God fearing Greeks, and quite a few women’. The seeds of the Gospel had been sewn, and which from that day began to show fruit for the Kingdom of God. Sometime later St Paul wrote the now famous letters to the church that was by then well established in Thessaloniki.
Things turned against St Paul once again. There was opposition, riots broke out. Paul was taken to safety from the rioting crowds. The city officials were trying to trace him, but by night he was taken outside of Thessaloniki and made his way to Berea, where he did it all over again!
We visited the beautiful church of St Dimitrios (agios Dimitrios). The son of a military commander of Thessaloniki in the early 4th century, he was appointed by Emperor Maximian to take his father’s place as head of the Army upon the death of his father, and charged to persecute and kill Christians in the city. Dimitrios disobeyed, openly confessing faith in Christ. The Emperor was outraged, came to the city himself to confront Dimitrios, and had him thrown into prison. Dimitrios confessed his disgust for idolatry which was also to criticize the Emperor. Knowing his fate, he had his servant give all his wealth to the poor. He was kneeling in prayer in the cells when Maximian’s soldiers came and killed him.
The Church was built in his honour, his body lies in the crypt. The church was built on top of Roman baths, also known for their healing qualities. It was badly damaged by fire in 1917, but lovingly restored.
We walked the foreshore of the harbor, admiring that massive statue of Alexander the Great, also from Thessaloniki. The best was yet to come.
We visited The Salvation Army of Thessaloniki! Under the leadership of Captains Neofytos and Anastasia, we were welcomed and blessed by their wonderful love and gracious hospitality. Anastasia greeted us all individually as we alighted the bus with a hug and a kiss, and we found ourselves in the very gracious company of wonderful people who have become the first Salvation Army Corps (Church) in Thessaloniki, and the second in Greece (we meet the other in Athens later). This was a remarkably inspiring time, sharing the best meal we have eaten thus far and served with such wonderful warmth of hospitality, it will be etched in our memories for a long time.
Sadly, we bade then farewell and headed for our final destination for the day at Kavala, formerly Neapolis which was the tiny sea port where St Paul first stepped foot on European soil having crossed from Troas in Turkey (Acts 16) on his way to Philippi. Neapolis was the port for Philippi. More about that tomorrow.
It was a very warm day again today. We enjoyed spectacular sights of the Aegean Sea from our bus, and stopped high above Kavala at the look-out from where we could see the village below, with its magnificent old city still surrounded by its massively impressive wall. We have a free day tomorrow to explore it all.
We arrived in time to get our rooms, sort out our things, and share dinner at the Hotel after which we strolled in the early evening as the sun was setting, along the beautiful port foreshore which was only just beginning to come alive with families, loud family chatter and laughter. The views along the port were stunning, and the vision of the old city now perched high and secure above the old port was simply a work of art.
That’s to be explored tomorrow.
From our sixth storey room overlooking the beautifully romantic Aegean Sea in the ancient port village of Kavala (formerly Neaoplis), we send our love.
Until tomorrow….
KRA
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