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mastichas09

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I am trying to learn more about the history of the Orthodox Church in Greece. I know that there are some Bible passages that mention the Apostle Paul being in Greece, but I am not clear on the actual history.

For example, Ephesians was written about "Ephesus", which was part of Greece at that time. But, when I read the Bible I like to have more of an historical context. I am sure this information exists, I am just not sure where.
 
I am trying to learn more about the history of the Orthodox Church in Greece. I know that there are some Bible passages that mention the Apostle Paul being in Greece, but I am not clear on the actual history.

For example, Ephesians was written about "Ephesus", which was part of Greece at that time. But, when I read the Bible I like to have more of an historical context. I am sure this information exists, I am just not sure where.
The Orthodox Study Bible, the one with the OT and NT, has a good synopsis of the history of each of the gospels and the epistles. It is available from Amazon. There is a cheaper on line version. I didn't see it on Amazon but you can check. I find navigating within the on line version difficult.
 
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I agree about the Orthodox Study Bible. Koine Greek was the main language of the New Testament, so Greece was important. Off the top of my head, Ephesians was written in "Greece" (it's in Turkey now, but at the time it was part of Greece), I and II Corinthians (written in Corinth), and the book of Revelations was written in a place called the Cave of the Apocalypse in Patmos, Greece. There could be more, but I am not sure.
 
The Orthodox Study Bible, the one with the OT and NT, has a good synopsis of the history of each of the gospels and the epistles. It is available from Amazon. There is a cheaper on line version. I didn't see it on Amazon but you can check. I find navigating within the on line version difficult.
All of you, Above Writers, do well in pointing out that, for example, Letters in the NT were addressed to newly formed Xian communities/churches [Ephesus, Corinth, etc.], but unfortunately did not refer to sources about the other half of the organized religion, namely the liturgy -- e.g., the Eucharistic Service which was also copied and developed in Rome as the Mass. Some Greek phrases-- were left untranslated and are still used in the Latin liturgy. [This new Pope --a communist and a heretic -- is about to eliminate the use of Latin....] Some church music -- antiphonal -- was fruitfully brought to Italy in the 4th century.
 
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Hmmm... does anyone know of a book I can read besides the study Bible that could give some information? There really isn't much online! Thank you to those who have chimed in so far!
 

Themistocles: Hero, Politician, or Master Strategist?

This weekend I met someone named Themistocles, which immediately caught my attention. We ended up having a conversation about the famous Athenian statesman and general, and it got me thinking more about his place in Greek history.

Themistocles is often credited with recognizing the importance of naval power and helping secure the Greek victory at the Battle of Salamis. Without his foresight and strategy, the Persian Wars may have had a very different outcome. At the same time, he was also a politician who made powerful enemies and was eventually ostracized from Athens.

It made me wonder how people today view him. Was he primarily a hero who helped save Greece, a brilliant politician navigating a difficult era, or one of history's greatest military strategists? I'd love to hear your thoughts on his legacy and whether you think he gets the recognition he deserves.

Learning About Ancient Corinth

I’m hoping to visit the ruins of Ancient Corinth on a future trip to Greece, and I’d like to learn more about the history before I go. I always find that I appreciate archaeological sites more when I understand what I’m looking at and know some of the stories behind the ruins.

For those who have visited Ancient Corinth, what would you recommend learning about beforehand? Are there particular periods of the city’s history, important events, or historical figures that help put the site into context? I know Corinth had an important location and a long history, but I’d like to understand more about how the city developed and changed over time.

I’d also love recommendations for books, documentaries, podcasts, or other resources that give a good introduction to Ancient Corinth. What helped you understand the site and its history before or after your visit?

Most forgotten period of Greek history?

I was in Crete once eating at a restaurant and there was a pile of artifacts heaped - broken pottery shards, etc. The restaurant told us that they were going to throw them out. I said, but they are artifacts, why?! They said that no one cares about that time period the artifacts came from - something about an Arabic occupation.

I thought it was interesting and it stayed with me nearly two decades later. This is clearly a forgotten period of Greek history. Does this happen a lot in Greece? Got me thinking about Greek history and what else may be forgotten... Would love your thoughts.

Period of Greek History You Find the Most Fascinating?

One of the things I love most about visiting Greece is how layered the history feels. You can be standing in one place and realize people have been living there for thousands of years across completely different eras.

So far, I’ve been especially drawn to Minoan history, places like Knossos really stayed with me, and also sites connected to the New Testament. Visiting locations tied to early Christianity adds a whole different dimension to travel for me.

Lately I’ve been thinking about planning future trips around specific historical periods, but Greece has so many that it’s hard to know where to focus next. Ancient classical sites, Byzantine monasteries, Ottoman-era towns, Venetian fortresses, it’s almost overwhelming in a good way.

I’d love to hear what periods of Greek history you personally find most fascinating, and why. Are there particular places that really brought that era to life for you? I’m looking for inspiration for future exploring.

Daily Life in Ancient Athens?

When I visited Athens recently, I spent a lot of time walking around the ancient sites like the Acropolis of Athens and the Ancient Agora of Athens. Seeing the ruins up close was incredible, but it also made my imagination wander.

As I walked through the Agora and looked up at the Acropolis, I kept wondering what daily life was actually like in Ancient Athens. What did an ordinary day look like for people who lived there? Were the streets busy with merchants and philosophers debating ideas? What kinds of foods were people cooking, and how did families spend their evenings?

It’s easy to think about the big historical moments or famous figures, but I’m really curious about everyday life. What were homes like, how did people spend their time, and what might a normal day have looked like for the average Athenian? I’d love to hear any insights or resources people recommend!
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