Churches look Olympic best as priests skip summer holidays

msnbc.msn.com ^ | 5:41 p.m. ET Aug. 19, 2004 | Derek Gatopoulos

[Destro]

Churches look Olympic best as priests skip summer holidays

Though the bells are ringing less frequently, priests are going to great lengths to welcome and instruct visitors

The sun sets behind a Greek Orthodox church in Athens

By Derek Gatopoulos

The Associated Press

Updated: 5:41 p.m. ET Aug. 19, 2004

Central Athens features several historic churches, some nearly 1,000 years old, which are often overlooked by tourists keen to visit the 2,500-year-old Parthenon and other ancient monuments. Twenty-odd churches in Athens' historic Plaka district and other downtown areas will remain open and provide visitors recordings of hymns and printed literature in Greek and English about the site.

Outside the city's main cathedral, a group of teenage girls gathered at the entrance, mulling over whether to go in after reading a sign that said: “Keep body covered. No shorts allowed.” One of the girls walked in after she pulled her shirt down, covering her midriff.

[MarMema]

bump

[Cronos]

When I went to Athens a couple of months ago the Parthenon, the amphitheatres etc and the Temple of Zeus at Sounio left me pretty cold -- not exciting at all.

However, the churchs were gorgeous! I would strongly recommend skipping the ancient Greek ruins and heading off to visit the numerous little churchs like what's that little church next to the Cathedral? Something Maria.

[Destro]

The ancient ruins did not leave me cold - pagan origins not withstanding. I found them awe inspiring.

[Cronos]

I dunno. Are you ethnic Greek. Could that be the reason? Or maybe the reason is that that month -- June, I was jaunting across Europe every weekend -- 4th in Dublin, 11th in Brussels-Brugges, 18th in Rome (wow!) and 25th in Athens. As I said, it was my perception -- it could have been that I overdosed on history after Rome!

[Destro]

Who said I was Greek?

[Cronos]

BTW, what's the name of that little Church, ah yes, Panayia Gorgoepikoos!!! BEautiful. Very friendly folks. The fiancee and I were trooping around Plateia heading up to the Acropolis when an old Greek gent stopped us and asked us if we were English. He then proceeded to tell us about the best spots to eat in and to have tea in! Oh and eating, mmmm.. souvlaki! Gyros! Didn't like the wines&spirits though -- Retsina and ouzo was ugggh, but then it would be an acquired taste.

[Cronos]

Just asking...