Thessaloniki

Posted by Paz Susan Cabanero-Johnson November 25, 2023

Thessaloniki

Monday, September 11, 2023

new day beckons untarnished hope and we celebrated mass at the St. Vincent de Paul’s church early in the morning before breakfast. Catholic church teachings and scriptural evidence conform to the faith and belief that the communion host is the real mystical body of Jesus Christ. Out of reverence, a one hour fast before its reception is a faith practice.

Today is the last day at Thessaloniki and as promised our only chance to look closely at the city. Only 1.3 M people live and work here. Aristotle was the teacher of Alexander the Great and at the city’s center square in his commemoration. Socrates, Plato, Aristotle are all in the teaching lineage and enrich the history of this city.

Alexander the Great was an accomplished military commander and undefeated in battle conquered many countries and made the Greek tongue as the common language. This paved the way for St. Paul to bring the christian faith since there was a common language.

The White Tower is significant because of its history in the Ottoman Empire. it is one of 33 museums in the city.

Thessaloniki has a wide port with the snow capped mountains at its backdrop. Many locals and visitors enjoy their day near the sea with its brine scented air and its cool, fresh breeze.

The city of Thessaloniki is dotted with remnants of Alexander the Great as a military conqueror as he is referred to as the “Omega.”. In common parlance, he is the “Closer.”

Comparing the military gears at that time (80 lbs to lug around for the kill), our streamlined button pushed drones are more lethal, strategic, and with pinpoint precision can kill with awesome accuracy.

The 11th century AD marked the schism of the Greek Orthodox and Roman Catholic Church. Peering through a typical Greek Orthodox church I admired the similarities in their religious figures (scripture based) and icons. It is difficult to discern actual differences structurally. In matters of faith and belief there may be a deeper divide that I cannot fathom without serious studies.