Temple by the Bay
I was going through some photos from a trip to the Greek Islands a couple of years ago, and came across this photo. I wrote about this at the time, but I was reminded how struck I was when we visited this place, so I thought I’d mention it again :) See the bay in the background of the photo? It’s called St Paul’s Bay and it’s in Lindos, on the island of Rhodes. This is where Paul is thought to have moored on his third journey on the way to Jerusalem (Acts 21:1).
If this is actually where Paul and his friends landed, the location is really interesting because hovering directly overhead is the temple of Athena Lindia (you can see the corner pillar and stairs in the foreground). In Greek mythology, Athena was the goddess of wisdom, battle and the protector of civil life. She was venerated at this temple which was built around 300BC.
As Paul’s ship sailed into the bay and he looked above at the acropolis he would have been immediately confronted with this very magnificent monument to a cult goddess. Confronted once again with the scale of his calling and mission to be a light to the Gentiles (Acts 13:47) and communicate the reality and truth of Jesus to a world who did not know Him.
“[Paul] is a chosen vessel of Mine to bear My name before the Gentiles” (Acts 9:15)
Birgit, just when I think you couldn’t possibly top yourself with a photo you bring another one to share with us that just blows me away. You are truly so very talented – you capture so much more than just a picture.
I visited Athens last year and I thought, now I know how Paul was able to work out his patience … stair climbing. :)
This reminds me to be mindful of my surroundings; allowing them to remind me why I am walking these very streets.
Ha, ha, Hope, I know what you mean with the stairs – did you visit Mars Hill and the Acropolis? Lots of stairs! ;) And there were lots of stairs up the hill to this temple I seem to remember :)
Thank you so much for your really encouraging words – I’m so, so happy that you enjoy them. Love and blessings.
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So true, @ngie, I really like what you’ve said here. God has purposed us for the exact setting we are placed – such an exciting thought! :)
This is a beautiful photo. I’d love to visit there someday, it must be amazing to walk where all that history happened.
That will be so wonderful Rain, when you get to visit. It really is so beauitful there, and as you say, an amazing thing to physically stand where stories from history and from the Bible took place. I can only imagine what it would be like to visit Jerusalem for that reason :). I so look forward to that one day, Lord willing.
[...] One of the things I loved most was visiting places that I have read about in Scripture – the island of Lindos where Paul is believed to have moored on one his journeys to Jerusalem, John’s exile to the [...]
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