July 9th, Day 3

Submitted by: Leslie Blackie

Athena

Being in Greece brings to life things I have read and history I thought I understood. When we visited the Acropolis and Parthenon we learned more about Athena. Her wisdom was valued but also her ability to protect (the sword and shield in statues). We also saw the winged victory Nike- looking very similar to renaissance angels. As we sang Agni Parthene (O Virgin Pure), the words resonated in a different way for me. “You are the Tree of Life, the Fount of Life Eternal”- I thought of the Olive tree, the gift from Athena that is the source of food and oil. And the reverence of the Ancient Greeks to the unwedded Athena. And then in Christianity the reverence for the Virgin Mary which is who this song is written for (there are verses specifically to Mary- “O Mary you are Bride and Queen”). Singing this song I had a blending of Athena and the Virgin Mary and women’s needs and reverence for the honoring of strength, wisdom, the fierceness of fighting to protect loved ones, the gentleness of nurturing family, friends, community that ordinary women do. A connection through the centuries on Athena of ancient Greeks to the Christian Virgin Mary to the ordinary women of modern times. Helped by the winged Nike or the winged angels or our friends who give us that helping hand/ voice of encouragement just when we need it.

July 9th, Day 3

Submitted by: Peggy Stratton

We are all finally together in the cradle of civilization! We embarked on a trip to The Parthenon on the Acropolis. I admit that when I studied this in school the history blurred in my mind because it just didn't seem real!

Australian students visited and went home and made a replica of all the buildings with LEGOs! This included the basements, the tour guides, the trees, and the colors. The attention to detail was impressive!

The Greeks are a very proud people. They are working on renovating the buildings with amazing detail. The Acropolis Museum is built to exact scale of the Parthenon. When the museum was being built, they discovered ancient rooms underneath, so they built it over the grounds while continuing to keep the integrity of ancient times. You can see through the floor of the museum down to where they are excavating and preserving the original rooms.

The Greeks are a very proud people. They are working on renovating the buildings with amazing detail. The Acropolis Museum is built to exact scale of the Parthenon. When the museum was being built, they discovered ancient rooms underneath, so they built it over the grounds while continuing to keep the integrity of ancient times. You can see through the floor of the museum down to where they are excavating and preserving the original rooms.